2007 Year Four - Big Time at ASU - U of A comes on board.

The MLK Basketball Commikttee had a great deal of discussion regarding the cover of the game day program. We had always tried to promote teams and the event as opposed to highlighting individuals. We were also aware that we would be having 5 games in Tucson at the U of A McKale Center for the first time and felt it was important to 'give them some love'. On the other hand, Arizona had never had two individuals, one male - one female, who had garnered so much national attention in the same year. Kayla Pedersen of Red Mountain and Jerryd Bayless of St. Mary's were both seleccted to participate on the USA Junior National Team. Both had already committed to top college programs, Pedersen to Stanford/Bayless to Arizona and both were great representatives of their school and high school basketball. The result was one of the most popular covers in our history. The photo shoot was done by an ESPN, The Magazine Photographer under the direction and at the home of PS Studios owner Peter Shikany.

The day started off with overtime games at both ASU and U of A. Rebecca Tobin of Cactus HS became the first player to record a triple double in MLK Basktball Classic history while leading the Cobras to a close victory over Scottsdale Saguaro. In the first MLK Basketball Classic game played in Tucson, Sahuaro beat Rincon 62-61. Catalina Foothills vs. Palo Verde and Ironwood Ridge vs. Cienega also went into overtime as the stage was set for some great basketball at both locations.

Under the direction of Mike Bejarano, Herman House, and Gary Lewis, the MLK Basketball Classic at the U of A was a great success. Over 3500 fans were in attendance for only the second high school game played at the McKale Center in over ten years. Special thanks to Arizona AD Jim Livengood for his help in securing the facility for this great event.

Back at ASU, the day was just beginning to heat up with rivalry games galore. Perenial 2A powers Scottsdale Christian and Valley Christian made their debuts in the second game while powerhouses Desert Vista and Mountain View followed in the third game. Desert Vista came from behind to defeat the Toros on this day. Later on, Mountain View would defeat Desert Vista to advance and win their 3rd straight state championship. DI players from Mountain View included Harper Kamp (California), Kendall Wallace (UNLV), Brendan Lavendar (Arizona), and Justin Wesolowski (n. Colorado) while Desert Vista had Ty Abbott (ASU), Michael Proctor (NAU), and Garrett Lever (Neb. Kearney).

The final boys game of the day was a repeat of the St. Mary's vs. Brophy  match-up. Last year, Brophy won a close one despite 49 points from Jerryd Bayless. This year the Knights won handily with Bayless going for 37. With numerous college coaches in attendance and a vocal crowd, the MLK Basketall Classic established itself as the premier non-state tournament basketball event of the season for Arizona high school basketball.

The final girls game was a match-up of the top two ranked teams in the state. Mountain View edged the Mountain Lions on a last second shot to capture this hard fought game. Red Mountain would go on to beat Mtn. View in both the region and state tournament finals. Brooke Jackson of Mountain View would win East Valley Region Player of the Year honors while Kayla Pedersen would be named the State Player of the Year. It was a great day of basketball at ASU with tremendous press coverage by print, TV, and internet providers. Attendacne at ASU was over 10,000 strong.

2007 - 4th Annual

  2007 - Inaugural