Old Spice High School Showcase to Feature 14 Games; Coverage Begins Dec.

The ESPN family of networks, in conjunction with Paragon Marketing Group, will combine to present 14 high school boy’s basketball games this season on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, as part of the returning Old Spice High School Showcase. The series of regular-season games will include teams from 13 different states, including 17 teams currently ranked in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 Rankings. The series will open with a matchup featuring two Texas schools on Friday, Dec. 11, with No. 47 Duncanville vs. No. 40 Lincoln at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU. 

The Old Spice High School Showcase is highlighted by games that will include the top four teams in the nation.  No. 1 Findlay Prep (Nev.) will play No.16 Northland (Ohio) on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. on ESPN and No. 2 St. Patrick (N.J.) on Monday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. on ESPNU. No. 3 Oak Hill (Va.) will play Northland (Ohio) on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. and No. 4 St. Benedict’s (N.J.) will face Virginia-based Bishop O’Connell on Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.

ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network, will televise 10 games, ESPN2 will air two contests and ESPN will present three matchups. ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband digital sports network, will simulcast the ESPN and ESPN2 games.

ESPN Scouts, Inc., National Basketball Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi will serve as the primary analyst for the high school basketball telecasts. He will be joined by various play-by-play announcers throughout the season, including Doug Bell and Justin Kutcher.

This season, 19 players from the ESPNU 100 Class of 2010 player rankings are expected to participate in the series, including No. 1 Harrison Barnes, SF, Ames HS (Iowa); No. 2 Jared Sullinger, PF, Northland HS (Ohio); No. 3 Perry Jones, PF, Duncanville HS (Texas); No. 4 Brandon Knight, PG, Pine Crest HS (Fla.); No. 6 Kyrie Irving, PG, St. Patrick (N.J.); No. 10 Josh Smith, C, Kentwood HS (Wash.); No. 11 Tristan Thompson, PF, Findlay Prep (Nev.); No. 12 DeShaun Thomas, SF, Bishop Luers HS (Ind.); No. 15 Terrence Jones, SF, Jefferson HS (Ore.); No. 16 Roscoe Smith, SF, Oak Hill Academy (Va.); No. 17 Jereme Richmond, SF, Waukegan HS (Ill.); and No. 20 Fabricio Melo, C, The Sagemont School (Fla.).

ESPNU will supplement the game schedule with a weekly studio show, ESPNU Recruiting Insider, which evaluates the top high school basketball recruits and their classes based on research and analysis provided by ESPN’s Scouts, Inc. The show will air Wednesdays at 6 p.m. throughout the season with ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo hosting alongside analyst Biancardi.

ESPN’s postseason high school basketball coverage will feature the 2010 Powerade Jam Fest; the McDonald’s All-American High School Games (girls and boys); Jordan Brand Classic; and ESPN RISE’s National High School Invitational. Dates, times and networks will be announced at a later date.

2009-10 ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNU High School Boy’s Basketball Schedule

-30-