Henricksen: Chicago Elite Classic matchups set

This year’s Chicago Elite Classic will be all-inclusive, featuring not only high school boys games but high school girls and grammar school games.

Here is the complete lineup of games for the sixth annual event, which will be played at the UIC Pavilion Dec. 1-2.

Friday, Dec. 1

■ Ariel Academy vs. Skinner West Elementary at 5:00 p.m.

A loaded Ariel team will face 8th grade hot shot Amari Bailey who committed to DePaul in August.

■ St. Rita vs. Bloomington at 6:00 p.m.

Led by 6-6 Chris Payton, one of the top five junior prospects in the state, Bloomington is fresh off a 27-win season and third-place finish in Class 3A. St. Rita will be a Catholic League contender.

■ Lyons Twp. vs. Riverside-Brookfield at 7:30 p.m.

A little neighborhood battle featuring two schools that sit just xx miles apart. LT is led by guards Tyrese Shines and Nolan Niego. R-B will be fueled by shooter Ryan Cicenas.

■ Oak Park vs. Fenwick at 9:00 p.m.

This has become a Chicago Elite Classic fixture and fun one between two rivals who have created a terrific early-season atmosphere. Both teams are expected to be ranked this season.

Saturday, Dec. 2

■ Beasley Elementary vs. South Loop at 10:45 a.m.

■ Simeon vs. Marshall (girls) at 12 noon

There is no more storied basketball program in Illinois than coach Dorothy Gaters’ Marshall Lady Commandos. Simeon reached the IHSA State Finals last year for the first time. This is a rematch from last year’s Class 3A third-place game which Marshall won 55-41.

■ Young vs. Homewood-Flossmoor (girls) at 1:30 p.m.

Under coach Corry Irvin the Lady Dolphins have 10 state trophies since 2005, including three state championships. H-F has won three straight sectional titles.

■ Kenwood vs. Gray Collegiate Academy (South Carolina) at 3:00 p.m.

Juwan Gary, a 6-5 top 75 prospect in the Class of 2019 who has multiple high-major offers already, is the headliner for Gary Collegiate. Junior point guard Artese Stapleton and 6-4 senior R.J. McGee are ready to step up for Kenwood.

■ Morgan Park vs. Champaign Central at 4:30 p.m.

Ayo Dosunmu of Morgan Park is the frontrunner for POY awards and Central’s Tim Finke is one of the top 10 senior prospects in Illinois.

■ Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) vs. La Lumiere School (Indiana) at 6:00 p.m.

A couple of national powerhouses filled with top 100 talent in multiple classes meet in Chicago. Keep an eye on Malik Hall, who started his prep career at Metea Valley in the western suburbs and is among the top 100 prospects in the country in the Class of 2019.

■ Whitney Young vs. Vashon (St. Louis) at 7:30 p.m.

The defending Illinois state champs, led by the senior tandem of Xavier Castaneda and Javon Freeman, square off with the defending Missouri state champs.

■ Simeon vs. Chaminade (St. Louis) at 9:00 p.m.

Loaded with Division I talent, including Talen Horton-Tucker, Simeon faces Chaminade, led by Jericole Hellems, a talented 6-6 senior with high-major offers.