By David Cordova
Every spring & fall, there is an excitement in the air at the Baychester Community Center on 229th Street in the North Bronx. That’s because of this big event called the Books & Ball All-City Classic.
The event, which is organized by founder Elliot Rosado and Isaac Gary, a coach of the famed SportsU AAU program in New Jersey, has made waves in the last couple of years. It is an event that brings in amazing high school talent from the Tri-State area.
The All-City Classic has produced countless alumni that are now playing Division I basketball on the college level, such as Seton Hall freshmen Isaiah Whitehead and Desi Rodriguez, Dayton sophomore Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, Manhattan College senior Emmanuel “Emmy” Andujar and as of late, future Kentucky commit and McDonald’s All-American, Isaiah Briscoe of Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey.
Another part of what makes this event so popular is the presence of the legendary MC, David “Cha-Ching” Teele. His raspy voice brings out the excitement of the crowd with phrases such as “Clear Out”, “Dial-Up”, and “Op-Op-Op-Operate.”
This event will take place on Saturday, April 18th, at the Baychester Community Center. Admission is $5 at the door. There will be five games that day. 5th grade vs. 6th grade at 4:00 pm, 7th grade vs. 8th grade at 5:00 pm, Underclassmen Boys (Freshmen & Sophomores) at 6:15 pm, Girls High School Game at 7:30 pm & the Upperclassmen Game (Juniors & Seniors at 8:45 pm.
Upperclassmen Rosters:
Lonnie Rivera, Don Bosco Prep (NJ), Class of 2015 – committed to American University
Tremont Waters, South Kent Prep (CT), Class of 2017
Hamidou Diallo, Putnam Science Academy (CT), Class of 2017
Shamorie Ponds, Thomas Jefferson (NY), Class of 2016
Matt Ryan, Iona Prep (NY), Class of 2015 – committed to Notre Dame
Randy Corporan, Wings Academy (NY), Class of 2015
Davon Dillard, Our Savior New American (NY), Class of 2015 – committed to University of California
Ladji Fofana, Martin Luther King (PA), Class of 2015
Caheim Brown, St. Raymond (NY), Class of 2016
Gianni Ford, Boys & Girls (NY), Class of 2016
Jeffrey Hayden, Cardinal Hayes (NY), Class of 2015
Rashond Salnave, Cardozo (NY), Class of 2016
Aaron Walker, Cardozo (NY), Class of 2016
Jahlil Tripp, Lincoln (NY), Class of 2016
Otis Livingston, Linden (NJ), Class of 2015
Kevin Saylor, Wings Academy (NY), Class of 2016
Elijah Hughes, Kennedy Catholic (NY), Class of 2016
Underclassmen Roster:
Markquis Nowell, St. Anthony (NJ), Class of 2018
Idan Tretout, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2018
Keith Williams, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2017
Dallas Watson, St. Raymond (NY), Class of 2018
Zack Bruno, Xaverian (NY), Class of 2017
Nazreon Reid, Roselle Catholic (NJ), Class of 2018
Atiba Taylor, Hackensack (NJ), Class of 2018
Jordan Walker, Long Island Lutheran (NY), Class of 2017
Marques Watson, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2017
Luther Muhammed, Hudson Catholic (NJ), Class of 2018
Louis King, Roselle Catholic (NY), Class of 2018
Jordan Tucker, Archbishop Stepinac (NY), Class of 2017
Isaiah Washington, St. Raymond (NY), Class of 2017
Jahvon Quinerly, Hudson Catholic (NJ), Class of 2018
Ja’Quaye James, Teaneck (NJ), Class of 2018
Justin Winston, West Orange (NJ), Class of 2018
Sidney Wilson, St. Raymond (NY), Class of 2017
Andre Williams, Class of 2017
Jalen Carey, Dwight-Englewood (NJ), Class of 2018
Bryce Willis, Iona Prep (NY), Class of 2018
Jordan Bryant, Class of 2017
Boubacar Kammisoko, Wings Academy (NY), Class of 2017
Saquan Singleton, Monsignor Scanlan (NY), Class of 2017
Girls Game rosters:
Milicia Reid, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2017
Sierra Green, Francis Lewis (NY), Class of 2016
Skydajah Patterson, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2016
Zaria Dorsey, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2018
Ashanae McLaughlin, Murry Bergtraum (NY), Class of 2015 – Committed to Seton Hall
Kurstyn Moore, Mount Vernon (NY), Class of 2016
Delphynia Sparks, Monsignor Scanlan (NY), Class of 2017
Jade Vega, Cardinal Spellman (NY), Class of 2015
Taliyah Brisco, Francis Lewis (NY), Class of 2016
Janier Cooper, Monsignor Scanlan (NY), Class of 2017
Domonique Toussaint, Christ the King (NY), Class of 2016
Sydney Zambrotta, Christ the King (NY), Class of 2016
Donnetta Johnson, Holderness (NH), Class of 2018
Sade Rogers, Cardinal Spellman (NY), Class of 2015
Niajah Morgan, Cardinal Spellman (NY), Class of 2015
Keyla Lowe, Grand Street Campus (NY), Class of 2016
Kiana Clark, Bishop Loughlin (NY), Class of 2015
Morgan Towells, Medgar Evers, Class of 2016
Kateri Poole, St. Mark’s the Evangelist School, Class of 2020
Daja Wentz, I.S. 142, Class of 2019
Jordan Augustus, St. Mary’s High School, Class of 2015 – Committed to St. John’s University
Lisa Fields, Truman High School, Class of 2015
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