Lineup includes elite talent and nationally-ranked teams from eight states and D.C.
Go Forward Pine Bluff (GFPB) today unveiled 16 competing teams and a new title sponsor for the 2023 Central Moloney, Inc. King Cotton Holiday Classic, a nationally recognized high school basketball tournament, presented by Simmons Bank. This year’s field includes at least 30 blue chip players across 16 teams from eight states and the District of Columbia, with five from Arkansas: Benton, Little Rock Central, Little Rock Christian, Pine Bluff and White Hall.
“With continued support from Simmons Bank and a new title sponsor in Central Moloney, Inc., along with our dedicated volunteers, we are excited to once again welcome teams from across the nation to Pine Bluff to compete in our first-class tournament,” said CEO Ryan Watley of GFPB. “We are incredibly grateful for the two Pine Bluff companies contributing more than $100,000 to make this event possible. It’s long been a staple of our community, and now with title and presenting sponsors, we can make it much more special for the state of Arkansas.”
Held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center, this year’s tournament will take place Dec. 27-29. Tickets will be available at kingcottonclassic.org beginning in November.
“At Central Moloney, Inc., we back our community, and we bet on winners,” said Chris Hart, president and CEO of Central Moloney, Inc. “The King Cotton Holiday Classic is a winner. We’re excited to be this year’s title sponsor and to help it shine a spotlight on some of our nation’s elite high-school prospects.”
Three former King Cotton players were among the 2023 NBA Draft’s first round picks: Jett Howard (Orlando), Brandon Miller (Charlotte) and Nick Smith, Jr. (Charlotte). Since its founding in 1982, the King Cotton has consistently garnered national media coverage. ESPN aired the tournament live in 1987, making the King Cotton the first of its kind to be broadcast to a nationwide audience.
“Pine Bluff and its community is what makes this tournament so unique to play in and to be a part of,” said Chad Pittillo, Simmons Bank community president. “The shared memories and sense of pride this event holds for Pine Bluff citizens run deep, and Simmons is honored to be part of that.”
Teams Competing:
- Archbishop Wood High School Vikings (Warminster, Penn.)
- Benton High School Panthers (Benton, Ark.)
- Booker T. Washington (Houston, Texas)
- Duncanville High School Panthers (Duncanville, Texas)
- Gonzaga College High School Eagles (Washington, D.C.)
- Little Rock Central Tigers (Little Rock, Ark.)
- Little Rock Christian Warriors (Little Rock, Ark.)
- McDonough High School Warhawks (McDonough, Ga.)
- Pine Bluff High School Zebras (Pine Bluff, Ark.)
- Pinson Valley High School Indians (Pinson, Ala.)
- Sandy Creek High School Patriots (Tyrone, Ga.)
- Silsbee High School Tigers (Silsbee, Texas)
- St. Francis Academy High School Panthers (Baltimore, Md.)
- St. Joseph Santa Maria High School Knights (Santa Maria, Calif.)
- Westminster Academy High School Lions (Fort. Lauderdale, Fla.)
- White Hall High School Bulldogs (White Hall, Ark.)
This year’s field includes at least 30 blue chip players across 16 teams from eight states and the
District of Columbia, with five from Arkansas: Benton, Little Rock Central, Little Rock
Christian, Pine Bluff and White Hall. More at kingcottonclassic.org.
● Archbishop Wood High School Vikings (Warminster, Penn.)
○ Entering his 11th year, Coach John Mosco is the all time wins leader in Vikings
boys basketball history.
○ 6’4” SG Jalil Bethea (class of 2024), ranked seventh nationally by 247Sports, has
committed to play for Miami over Kansas.
● Benton High School Panthers (Benton, Ark.)
○ Entering his 10th season, Coach Dexter Hendrix also played basketball at Benton.
○ 6’9” W/SF Terrion Burgess (class of 2025), ranked 17th nationally by 247Sports,
has received an Arkansas offer, while being pursued by NBA G-League Ignite.
● Booker T. Washington (Houston, Texas)
○ Entering his 17th season, Coach Vincent Grayson led last year’s team to its first
regional finals since 1995 and first state championship appearance in school
history.
○ Coach Grayson’s father was the first black alderman in Tupelo, Mississippi.
○ 6’8” PF Chris McDermott (class of 2024), ranked 15th in Texas by 247Sports, has
received offers from North Texas, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas State and Louisiana
Lafayette.
● Duncanville High School Panthers (Duncanville, Texas)
○ Coach David Peavy led the Panthers to state championship games in 2019, 2020,
and 2021 and has won two titles.
○ 6’6” SF BJ Davis-Ray (class of 2025), ranked 35th nationally and fourth in the
state of Texas by 247Sports, has received numerous offers, including Houston,
Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
○ 6’3” SG Kayden Edwards (class of 2025), ranked 54th nationally and ninth in
Texas by 247Sports, has received numerous offers, including Mississippi State,
Kansas State, Texas, Texas Tech, California-Berkeley and West Virginia.
○ High school alma mater of former Arkansas Razorback Anthony Black and 2023
NBA first round draft pick.
● Gonzaga College High School Eagles (Washington, D.C.)
○ Coach Stephen Turner has been the head coach since 2004.
○ 6’2” PG Nyk Lewis (class of 2025), ranked 31st nationally and first in the D.C.
metro by 247Sports, has received 16 offers, including Georgetown, Kansas,
Maryland, Marquette and Tennessee.
○ 6’4” CG Derek Dixon (class of 2025), ranked 73rd nationally and second in the
D.C. metro by 247Sports, has received numerous offers, including Syracuse,
Pittsburgh, UVA, Villanova and Virginia Tech.
○ 6’9” C Christian Gurdak (class of 2025) is ranked 90th nationally and third in
D.C. by 247Sports. Offers include Iowa, Maryland, Notre Dame and Penn State.
● Little Rock Central Tigers (Little Rock, Ark.)
○ Coach Brian Ross enters his sixth season.
○ 6’6” SG Annor Boateng (class of 2024), ranked first in the state and 30th
nationally by ESPN, committed to Missouri over offers from Auburn, Arkansas,
Georgia Tech and LSU.
○ 6’1” PG Luke Moore (class of 2025) has received offers from Drake, Old
Dominion and St. John’s.
○ 6’0” G Daniel Culberson (class of 2024) has received an offer from UAPB.
● Little Rock Christian Warriors (Little Rock, Ark.)
○ Entering his second season, Coach Kyle Pennington’s Warriors are defending 4A
state champions with four returning starters: JJ Andews, Landren Blocker, Jameel
Wesley II and Corliss Williamson, Jr.
○ 6’6” 5-Star SG JJ Andrews (class of 2026), ranked first in the state by 247Sports
and 13th nationally by On3, has received offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri,
Ole Miss and UAPB, while being recruited by Auburn, Memphis and Oklahoma.
○ 6’5” G Landren Blocker (class of 2024) is committed to Louisiana Tech.
○ 6’1” G Kameron Hicks (class of 2027) was selected to the Cream of the Crop top
30 all-star game.
● McDonough High School Warhawks (McDonough, Ga.)
○ Entering his seventh season, Coach William (BJ) Thomas has led his team to the
final four in 2016, 2021 and 2022.
○ 6’6” G Nigel Thomas (class of 2025), ranked 15th in the state of Georgia by
247Sports, has received offers from LSU and FSU.
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● Pine Bluff High School Zebras (Pine Bluff, Ark.)
○ Coach Billy Dixon led his 2022-2023 team to the 5A state championship title.
○ 6’3” G Courtney Crutchfield (class of 2024) is an Arkansas football commit and
was named to the 2022 King Cotton Holiday Classic All-Tournament first team.
○ 6’1” S Austyn Dendy (class of 2024) has received football offers from Michigan
State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Purdue and UNLV.
● Pinson Valley High School Indians (Pinson, Ala.)
○ Entering his sixth season (and 15th overall), Coach Darrell Barber has more than
300 wins and four state titles.
○ 6’7” C Clyde Walters (class of 2026) has received multiple offers, including
Alabama, Kennesaw State, Mississippi State, Tennessee Tech and Troy.
○ 6’0” PG Austin Coner (class of 2025) holds an offer from Oklahoma Baptist.
○ This year, the team will honor Caleb White’s (the state’s third ranked player in
2023) legacy. A would-be senior, White passed away in August after collapsing
during team workouts.
● Sandy Creek High School Patriots (Tyrone, Ga.)
○ Coach Jon-Michael Nickerson’s 2023 team won the Georgia State Championship.
○ 6’7” PF Micah Smith (class of 2024), ranked 14th in Georgia, has committed to
James Madison.
○ 6’3” G Amari Brown (class of 2024), the leading scorer in back to back years, is
being recruited by several low major and mid major schools.
○ 2024 6’2” SG PJ Green (class of 2024) is a Perfect Game All-American and is
committed to Missouri to play baseball.
○ 6’1” PG Jared White (class of 2025) is being recruited by Ivy League, Patriot
League and other low major and mid major schools.
○ 6’1” G Jacobi Robinson (class of 2025) is being recruited by D2 and low major
D1 schools.
● Silsbee High School Tigers (Silsbee, Texas)
○ Coach Joe Sigler enters his 27th season as Silsbee’s head coach.
○ 6’2” G Jared Harris (class of 2024), ranked seventh in Texas, has committed to
Memphis.
○ 6’2” PG Dre’Lon Miller (class of 2024), ranked 62 nationally in football by
247Sports, is a Texas A&M wide receiver commitment over USC and LSU.
● St. Frances Academy High School Panthers (Baltimore, Md.)
○ Under Coach Nick Myles, the Panthers have won five league championships.
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○ 6’2” PG Jasiah Cannady (class of 2026) has received six offers, including Georgia
Tech, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.
○ 6’9” F Donovan Flamer (class of 2025) has received multiple offers that include
Jacksonville State University and East Carolina University.
● St. Joseph Santa Maria High School Knights (Santa Maria, Calif.)
○ Coach Tom Mott was named All-Area Coach of the Year last year after his team
lost in the Open Division State Championship game (highest division) to
Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles).
○ 6’5” SG Tounde Yessoufou (class of 2025), ranked eighth nationally and third in
California by 247Sports, has multiple offers, including Arizona, Arkansas, Texas,
Kansas, UCLA, USC, Washington and others.
○ 6’2” SG Julius Price (class of 2026) has offers from Minnesota and Washington.
● Westminster Academy High School Lions (Fort. Lauderdale, Fla.)
○ Entering his 20th season with a record of 327-126, Coach Ehren Wallhoff won
three straight state championship titles from 2017-19.
○ 6’7” SG Alex Constanza (class of 2026), ranked 8th nationally by ESPN, has
received offers from Alabama, Florida, Illinois and Ole Miss.
● White Hall High School Bulldogs (White Hall, Ark.)
○ Coach Josh Hayes played at Ole Miss and UCA, where he coached for five years.
○ 6’7” SG JaiChaan Hayes (class of 2025), ranked 4th in the state of Arkansas by
On3 and son of Coach Hayes, has received offers from Arkansas, Missouri, Ole
Miss, UAPB and Vanderbilt.
○ It was at the King Cotton in 2021 that Arkansas men’s basketball coach Eric
Musselman first noticed Hayes
About Go Forward Pine Bluff
Founded in 2017, Go Forward Pine Bluff is a nonprofit organization with a vision to positively impact local government, education, economic development and quality of life. Go Forward Pine Bluff’s mission is to increase the revenues of the city government, enabling it to provide services expected by citizens.
About Central Moloney, Inc.
Central Moloney, Inc. (CMI) is an ISO 9001 certified company, manufacturing distribution power transformers and transformer components. Since 1949, CMI has been delivering quality products on time with professional service and reliability every step of the way. As one of the largest employers in Jefferson County, CMI doesn’t just transform energy, it transforms lives. CMI empowers its employees with high-paying positions, great benefits and opportunities for advancement.
