Preview

47th Annual Hardwood Classic Preview

Wheeling High School proudly welcomes fans back for the 47th Annual Hardwood Classic, one of the area’s premier holiday basketball tournaments. This year’s field is highlighted by the return of defending champion Fremd, which enters the tournament with a perfect 7–0 record and a Top 10 ranking in Illinois Class 4A. The Vikings are led by Illinois State commit Jordan Williams, one of the state’s top players.

The Hardwood Classic boasts an elite lineup, featuring four Thanksgiving Tournament champions: Fremd (Fenton’s Chuck Mitchell), Deerfield (Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament), Glenbrook North (GBN Thanksgiving Tournament), and Prospect (St. Viator Classic), setting the stage for a highly competitive multi-day showcase.

Fans can expect high-level basketball and college-level talent throughout the tournament. Headlining the field are college commits Jordan Williams (Fremd - Illinois State), Jake Pollack (Deerfield - Dartmouth), Bryce Wegrzyn (Libertyville - Winona State), and Evan Nagler (Deerfield - Case Western Reserve University), along with numerous other college prospects spotlighted in the tournament’s Players to Watch.

The host Wheeling Wildcats will take center stage on Monday, December 22 at 7:15 p.m., when they square off against defending champion Fremd in a marquee matchup. Led by Head Coach Tom Antosz and senior captains Zach Neukirch and Peter Kulig, the Wildcats will look to defend their home court against one of the state’s best.

The 47th Annual Hardwood Classic tips off Monday, December 22 at 9:00 a.m. with Stevenson facing Wauconda and continues December 22, 23, 26, and 27 at Wheeling High School. Fans can expect four days of outstanding competition, top-tier talent, and holiday basketball tradition.

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