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'Some of the best players in Texas' will compete at Nike Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Duncanville

By Randy Jennings/Special Contributor

When organizer Glenn Smith conceived the Nike Thanksgiving Hoopfest, he wanted to give the Dallas-Fort Worth sports enthusiasts a taste of basketball at a time of the year when football dominates the high school landscape.

Better termed a showcase than a tournament, the seventh edition of the Hoopfest is set forFriday and Saturday at Duncanville's Sandra Meadows Memorial Arena.

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The formula remains the same: selected area programs competing against each other as well as out-of-area and in some cases out-of-state opponents.

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Unlike a typical tournament, all 16 games are scheduled in advance.

This year's field of 23 includes seven teams from outside the area: two from Oklahoma, one from Louisiana and Arkansas, two from Houston and Abilene Cooper.

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The Hoopfest has featured 20 future McDonald's All-Americans and 11 participants that went on to play in the NBA.

"The plus to me is we have some of the best players in Texas going against great players from other states,'' said Smith. "Texas has done pretty well.''

Plano Prestonwood, seeking its fifth consecutive TAPPS state title this season, is a Hoopfest regular.

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"The benefit is we get to see programs with really great players that are used to winning,'' said Prestonwood coach Chris Lovell. "Over the years, it is one of the best showcases in the nation. For our players, fans and coaches, it is a win-win situation.''

Two of Texas' top senior guards will face off in the event's feature game, Irving MacArthur vs. Katy Cypress Lakes in Saturday's 9 p.m. finale.

MacArthur's 6-4 Andrew Jones is yet to sign a college letter of intent, but is heavily pursued. Cypress Lakes' 6-3 De'Aaron Fox earlier this month signed with Kentucky.

Seven games, including a girls match-up between Duncanville and Bishop Lynch, are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 11 a.m.

Saturday's nine-game session tips off at 9 a.m.

Four area teams, Prestonwood, MacArthur, South Grand Prairie and Triple A Academy, play games on both days.

Players to watch

Galen Alexander, Lafayette (La.) Christian, Jr., 6-6, F, Numerous college offers

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J.J. Caldwell, SATCH Homeschool, Sr., 5-11, PG, Texas A&M signee

De'Aaron Fox, Katy Cypress Lakes, Sr., 6-3, PG, Kentucky signee

Schnider Herard, Prestonwood Christian, Sr., 6-10, C, Mississippi State signee

Andrew Jones, Irving MacArthur, Sr., 6-4, G, Numerous college offers

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Trae Young, Norman (Okla.) North, Jr., 6-1, PG, Numerous college offers