No. 1 La Lumiere set for McCallie's Dr Pepper TEN Classic

McCallie basketball coach John Shulman directs players during the tornadoes' prep basketball game against Brentwood Academy at McCallie School on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
McCallie basketball coach John Shulman directs players during the tornadoes' prep basketball game against Brentwood Academy at McCallie School on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
photo McCallie basketball coach John Shulman again will have his Blue Tornado hosting a Dr Pepper TEN Classic with the nation's No. 1 prep team and Hamilton Heights participating.

For the second straight year McCallie School will bring in the nation's top-ranked prep basketball team as part of a stacked field for the Dr Pepper TEN Classic.

The four-team classic, set for Feb. 3-4, will include La Lumiere School, the nation's No. 1-ranked team according to USA Today, as well as Hamilton Heights, which is ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps, Christ School of Arden (N.C.) and host McCallie.

La Lumiere, from La Porte, Ind., reached last year's championship game of the Dick's Sporting Goods national tournament, losing to Oak Hill Academy, which played in last year's Dr Pepper Classic.

"It really is an incredible lineup of games for our local fans," said McCallie coach John Shulman. "Our goal for this event is to bring the best high school basketball teams to McCallie, and that's what we've done.

"To have the nation's top-ranked team two years in a row is pretty special for our city. There will be 15-20 mid-major to high-level college prospects here for two days, which should make for an unbelievable weekend of basketball. The quality of talent is off the charts."

La Lumiere features senior guard Brian Bowen, a top 25 prospect nationally in the 2017 recruiting class. The Lakers also have Jaren Jackson, a Michigan State commitment, Michigan commitment Jordan Poole and sophomore Tyger Campbell, listed as a top 50 prospect in the Class of 2019. As an eighth-grader, Campbell was a starter on Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy team that won a Class AA state championship.

Hamilton Heights features two players on the ESPN Top 100 list, including recent Kentucky commitment Shai Alexander, a 6-foot-5 four-star guard, and Virginia Tech signee Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Hawks also have Therren Shelton-Szmidt, a Middle Tennessee State signee.

Christ School has won North Carolina state championships in 2005 and 2007-11, and its roster includes Wake Forest commitment Will Fleming and Western Carolina commitment Matt Halvorson.

The first night of action will begin with La Lumiere taking on Christ School at 6, followed by McCallie against Hamilton Heights at 8. The next day, Hamilton Heights will open against Christ School at 6, followed by McCallie against La Lumiere at 8.

The event will include a dunk contest and a 3-point shooting contest.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis

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