Green, Rush to face off at Low Down Classic

When the prestigious Slam Dunk to the Beach post-Christmas tournament was cancelled some of the top high school basketball teams were sent scrambling for an opportunity to play against other elite programs. The first annual Low Down Classic in Houston, Texas became an answer. Event organizers have put together a field worthy of attention from several NBA scouts and college coaches.

The Low Down Classic features just six teams but it's loaded with big time talent. Fans, coaches and scouts will pile into Lutheran South Academy in Houston on Dec. 27-28, 2004 for the star-studded event.

Leading the way is Gulf Shores Academy (Texas), starring Gerald Green and Jovan Adams. Green, a 6-foot-8 athletic shooting guard is the number one player in the nation, according to Rivals.com. He is signed with Oklahoma State. Adams, an electric point guard, is signed with UNLV and the No. 19 ranked player in the nation by Rivals.com.

The famed Mt. Zion (N.C.) team is led by Brandon Rush, the top unsigned senior in the country. He is rated as the No. 4 player in the country by Rivals.com. The 6-foot-7 small forward is joined by Iowa State recruit Shawn Taggart, an athletic center and the No. 48 ranked player in the class of 2005.

The two teams will face off on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. Expect a number of NBA scouts to be in attendance to see Green and Rush go at it. Both players have a chance to make a their names go higher or lower in the match-up of the two top swing men in the country.

Green has seen his stock rise in the eyes of NBA scouts since his outstanding showing at the Reebok ABCD camp in July. Rush has been inconsistent with his play but his freakish athletic ability keeps the scouts coming to see him.

Two of the top juniors will also square off on the 28th. Nacogdoches (Texas) will play Memphis (Tenn.) Mitchell at 6:30. Damion James, the No. 5 rated player in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com, is a multi-talented 6-foot-8, 225-pound small forward will take on Thaddeus Young. Young, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound small forward, is the No. 7 ranked player in the land.

Much like Green and Rush, James and Young are the top two small forwards in their respective class. James has told Rivals.com that he intends to look at the NBA after high school. Young is a big-time talent that nearly every high-major program has peeked at this season.

Other players of note in the event are Michael Washington of Heritage Christian Academy (Texas), the No. 111 player in the class of 2005, and Perry Stevenson of North Side in Lafayette, La., the No. 63 ranked player in the class of 2006.

Monday, December 27th

4:00 p.m. – 14 and under exhibition game (teams & players TBD)

5:00 p.m. – Heritage Christian Academy vs. Mitchell High School

6:30 p.m. – Nacogdoches H.S. vs. Mount Zion Christian Academy

8:00 p.m. – Gulf Shores Academy vs. North Side H.S.

Tuesday, December 28th

4:00 p.m. – 14 and under exhibition game (teams & players TBD)

5:00 p.m. – Heritage Christian Academy vs. North Side H.S.

6:30 p.m. – Nacogdoches H.S. vs. Mitchell High School

8:00 p.m. – Mount Zion Christian Academy vs. Gulf Shores Academy