The matchups are set for the 38th Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield.
The bracket was released during a press conference and breakfast Thursday morning at Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield.
The tournament features some of the top high school basketball teams and players in the country, and will be played January 12th-14th at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Two local teams are in the field, including Link Academy in Branson, who is currently the #1 ranked team in the nation.
Coach Bill Armstrong’s team went 34-2 last season, and the team has seven Division 1 signees with four 5-star recruits and four 4-star recruits on its roster this season.
The other area team is the Kickapoo Chiefs. Coach Mitch McHenry’s squad went 25-4 last season and has made 19 appearances in the TOC over the years.
Other teams in the tournament:
Bartlett High School from Tennessee, who will be making its first appearance in the Tournament of Champions.
Calvary Christian Academy out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also appearing for the first time in the TOC.
Christ The King from Middle Village, New York has competed in the tournament six times, including the first Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in 1985. Longtime Coach Joe Arbitello’s team was ranked #16 in the country preseason, and is currently #22 in the nation.
St. Rita High School from Chicago, Illinois is making its second appearance in the TOC and first since 2012.
Staley High School from North Kansas City, Missouri is in the tournament for the first time, and is the top ranked team in Missouri Class 6.
Sunrise Christian Academy from Bel Aire, Kansas is here for the second time, finishing as the runner-up in the 2019 TOC. Last year’s team went 26-2.
Here’s the schedule for the 38th Bass Pro Tournament of Champions:
Thursday, January 12th:
Christ The King vs. Bartlett 4:30 p.m.
Link Academy vs. St. Rita 6:00 p.m.
Sunrise Christian vs. Springfield Kickapoo 7:30 p.m.
Staley vs. Calvary Christian 9:00 p.m.
Friday, January 13th:
Consolation bracket semifinals at 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.
Winner’s bracket semifinals at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 14th:
7th Place Game: 2:30 p.m.
Consolation Finals: 4:00 p.m.
Great Southern Bank Slam Dunk Contest: 6:00 p.m.
3rd Place Game: 7:00 p.m.
Championship Game: 9:00 p.m.
Ticket prices are $50 for a three day reserved ticket, $16.00 for a single day reserved ticket for Thursday, $17.00 for a single day reserved ticket for Friday and Saturday, $13.00 for a single day adult general admission ticket Thursday and Friday, $14.00 for a single day adult general admission ticket Saturday, and $10.00 for a single day student general admission ticket.
Tickets are being sold at the GSB Arena Chevy Pick-Up Window (417-836-7678).