810 Varsity Tipoff Classic Ahead

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 12/02/16, 5:00PM CST

KC's first major hoops event on Saturday!

Showcase at Liberty High

Park Hill South sophomore guard Lamel Robinson will be one of the Metro's top players over the next few years, and star on Saturday. (Photo: Bryce Mereness, Platte County Citizen)

The Metro’s first big high school event of the season will tip off this Saturday in Liberty.

810 Varsity’s Tipoff Classic will be held on Saturday, December 3 at Liberty High School, with five games set for a one-day showcase. Both the Liberty boys and girls will be in the event, as well as other Northland schools.

The event makes its debut, as 810 Varsity has held the Best of the Midwest Showcase in the prior two years at Municipal Auditorium and Johnson County (KS) Community College, and expands to three events for this upcoming season.

The day will start at 12 pm with defending Class 3 runner-up Barstow against Free State (Kansas), followed by St. Joe Central and Hogan Prep.

Park Hill South and Lee’s Summit clash at 4 pm, followed by two of the Kansas City area’s top girls programs in Liberty and Olathe South (Kansas) at 6 pm. The nightcap pits Liberty against Shawnee Mission North, the Kansas Class 6A state champions from last year.

“It’s a very solid lineup for the first year, and the interest level from schools should lead to it being a long-term fixture and stronger event as years progress,” Rader said.

Among the top players in the event:
- Jacob Gilyard, point guard for Barstow, and Division I commit to Richmond
- sophomore guard Lamel Robinson for Park Hill South, with interest from K-State, Wichita State and others

- Jalen Lewis, junior guard for Liberty

- Damien Daniels, junior point guard for Hogan Prep

- Kayel Newland, junior forward for the Lady Bluejays

- Dejanae Roebuck, 5-foot-11 senior for Lady Falcons

The two Best of the Midwest Showcases in January also feature the Liberty boys and girls, and Liberty North boys.

Ticket Prices (all-day passes)

Adults - $7
Students/Youth - $5

4 and under - Free

810 Varsity Tipoff Classic Schedule

Saturday, December 3, 2016
Liberty High School

12 pm: Barstow vs Free State
2 pm: Hogan Prep vs St. Joe Central
4 pm: Lee's Summit vs Park Hill South
6 pm: Liberty vs Olathe South (girls)
8 pm: Liberty vs SM North