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| 2004 PRESS RELEASE |
| ProMax Event Management Team | LSI HOME | BRACKET | INFO | MAP | PHOTOS | SPONSORS | ARCHIVE | PROMAX |
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| CONTACT: | John McCallum jmac@promaxevents.com Gerrit Wood gwood@promaxevents.com Promax Event Management Team Ph:503.620.6350 Fx:503.620.6380 Tournament Web Site: www.LesSchwabInvitational.com |
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| WHAT: | 2004 Les Schwab Invitational presented by Fred Meyer | |
| WHEN: | Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) | |
| WHERE: | Liberty High School - Hillsboro, Oregon | |
| WHO: | Top boys high school basketball programs from Oregon and the USA |
| Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA | Fairfax H.S., Los Angeles, CA |
| Montrose Christian, Rockville, MD | Beaverton Beavers |
| Benson Techmen | Canby Cougars |
| Grant Generals | Hillsboro Spartans |
| Jefferson Democrats | Jesuit Crusaders |
| Lakeridge Pacers | Lake Oswego Lakers |
| Lincoln Cardinals | Redmond Panthers |
| South Eugene Axemen | Westview Wildcats |
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Les Schwab is proud to announce their 9th annual holiday basketball tournament, the Les Schwab Invitational presented by Fred Meyer. The LSI will tip-off December 27-30, 2004 and is moving to Liberty High School. This premier high school tournament will showcase the top 13 Oregon high school basketball programs along with 3 schools from around the country. For the first time in tournament history, this year's field features three teams in the top 10 in pre-season polls including defending USA Today National Champion, Oak Hill Academy (2), Montrose Christian (7) and Fairfax high school (8). The 2004 field also features five of the nation's top 100 senior prospects with Oak Hill's Eric Devendorf, Jamont Gordon, and K.C. Rivers, Fairfax's Jamal Boykin and Montrose Christian's Uche Echefu. The LSI will have four of the top ranked underclassmen in the country including Kevin Durant and Tywon Lawson of Oak Hill, Kevin Love of Lake Oswego and Herb Pope from Montrose Christian. The LSI allows Oregon basketball fans to see how well Oregon school's match-up against elite high school programs and players from all over the country, as the tournament continually draws nationally ranked teams and high-caliber athletes to showcase their talent in Portland. The four-day tournament will highlight individual talent as well as competitive games which LSI fans have grown accustomed to over the tournament's history. The LSI has seen 5 players from the tournament drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. Three tournament MVP's are now playing in the NBA including 2000 tournament MVP and #2 overall pick, Tyson Chandler of the Chicago Bulls (Dominguez H.S.); 2001 tournament MVP and #3 overall pick, Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets (Oak Hill Academy); and 2002 pick and #26 overall pick, Ndudi Ebi of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Westbury Christian H.S.). Other former LSI participants and NBA first round selections include Freddie Jones, Indiana Pacers (Barlow H.S.) and Michael Dunleavy Jr., Golden State Warriors (Jesuit H.S). Portland's Jesuit high school will look to defend their 2003 LSI title after beating Lake Oswego in last year's championship game. Jesuit finished last season with a record of 27-3 and are the early favorites to take Oregon's 4A Championship this year. The talented Tarver brothers, Josh and Seth as well as Sergio Jones and Jordan Mast will provide experience and leadership to the squad. Other Oregon school's looking to make an impact in the tournament will be Jefferson high school with Brian Morris, Mac Hopson and Lathan Wallace as well as Lincoln with seniors Omar Leary and Latravis Turner. The out of state contingent will be led by national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy who make their third visit to the LSI and are coming off an undefeated season last year. Back in 2001, the Warriors led by tournament MVP Carmelo Anthony cruised their way to the LSI Championship and hope to capture their 3rd LSI title in as many visits. Also returning to the tournament is 2002 5th Place finisher Fairfax high school from Los Angeles. Fairfax features Duke-bound senior Jamal Boykin, juniors Jerren Shipp, Gilroy Hemsley, Matt Shaw and sophomore Chase Stanbeck. Washington D.C. and national power Montrose Christian makes their first appearance in the LSI. Last year, Montrose Christian won 20 consecutive games to end their season and is hoping to carry the momentum into this season. Senior big man Uche Echefu and sophomore sensation Herb Pope will carry the majority of the scoring load for the Mustangs. Games will be played at the Liberty High School's brand new gymnasium with each day getting underway at 9:00am. Each day will be divided into two, four-game sessions with a one-hour break between each session. Four-day Tournament passes will go on sale at a later date. A tournament pass will allow the holder of the pass a reserved seat for all 8 sessions of the tournament with savings over $20 off an adult ticket. All seats will be General Admission. Purchasers of the tournament pass can enter to win a 73" Mitsubishi big-screen television courtesy of Standard TV & Appliance. Live stats and tournament coverage will be posted at the tournament's official web site: www.LesSchwabInvitational.com. For additional information, contact Tournament Management at 503-620-6350 or visit the web site.
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