King Cotton Classic Another Opportunity for Fond Memories for Basketball Fans

Schedule sets up only time Razorback fans might cheer for Texas to beat Arkansas

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 27, 2023 11:01 AM EST

In this story:

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Two of my best memories from childhood involve the King Cotton Classic, which at one point in time was considered the premiere high school basketball tournament in the country.

I was just shy of 10 years old when my dad took me to the Pine Bluff Convention Center to watch the tournament in person. That night we watched future Duke star Bobby Hurley and No. 1 St. Anthony's dominate. Hurley still remains the best high school player I have ever seen, and that's a list of thousands at this point.

A few years later, my father and I sat in the comfort of our home as the Russelville Cyclones took on St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in the King Cotton finals on ESPN. The game was billed as a showdown between future NBA stars Corliss Williamson and Jason Kidd to determine who should be viewed as the alpha in the 1992 recruiting class.

It was a tight back and forth game as they each gave a strong account. However, fittingly, it came down to a one-on-one moment between the two with the championship on the line. Kidd gave his best move, but Williamson, a future Razorback legend, blocked his shot to make sure the title stayed in Arkansas.

Fast forward over 30 years and there's an opportunity for parents and their children to make those type of memories again. The King Cotton Classic has built up a lot of its prestige as an Arkansas vs. The World elite tournament once again.

The line-up is filled with its usual list of top-notch private school programs. However, perhaps the most dominant program of the past half decade, Duncanville High School from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, is going to generate the most buzz, especially among Arkansas Razorback fans.

That's because the Panthers feature freshman guard Beckham Black, brother of former Razorbacks star Anthony Black. Barring some sort of health crisis, Beckham has potential to surpass his more famous sibling.

However, that's only part of the draw. To make things truly memorable, there needs to be a recognizable name on the other end. In this case, in what may create the lone moment in which Hog fans cheer on Texas over Arkansas, Duncanville squares off with Pine Bluff in the opening round Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

For those a little slow on the take, one of the stars for the defending 5A champion Zebras is Missouri Tigers' football signee Courtney Crutchfield who spurned Sam Pittman's Razorback team as the state's top recruit. Joining him on the floor is fellow Eli Drinkitz recruit Austyn Denby, both of whom those driving down for the game will likely see on local billboards courtesy of Mizzou Athletics.

Arkansas fans got to know Black well during his brother's time with the Razorbacks. He was often seen in the crowd and pretty much anywhere his older brother went. He was featured prominently in the YouTube docuseries Black filmed of his time between the loss to UConn and the end of the NBA Summer League.

Of course, there is plenty of other talent to be taken in. Jalil Bethea of Archbishop Wood is the nation's No. 7 player. He's a 6-foot-4 guard who turned down Kansas to go to Miami. He opens the tournament against Missouri basketball signee Annor Boateng of Little Rock Central. The 6-foot-6 forward is currently the No. 30 player in the country.

Keeping things local, 4-star Terrion Burgess of Benton will be worth keeping an eye on, and Jared Harris, a Memphis signee and No. 80 player in the nation, leads Silsbee, Texas.

Tickets to the event are general admission, which means fans can sit wherever they can find a seat. Children six years and under get in free, but are required to have a ticket for admission.

Day 1 schedule:
Benton vs. McDonough (Ga.) 10 a.m.
Pinson Valley (Ala.) vs. Silsbee (Texas) 11:30 a.m.
White Hall vs. Sandy Creek (Ga) 1 p.m.
Little Rock Christian vs. Westminister (Fla.) 2:30 p.m.
Gonzaga College High (D.C.) vs. St. Joseph (Calif.) 4 p.m.
St. Frances Academy (Md.) vs. Booker T. Washington (Texas) 5:30 p.m.
Pine Bluff vs. Duncanville (Texas) 7 p.m.
Little Rock Central vs. Archbishop Wood (Penn.) 8:30 p.m.