McDonald's Classic

Infobox sports league
sport =Basketball
founded =1983
city =Erie, PA
teams =4
champion =Rice, NY
most_champs =Rice, NY (4)

The McDonald's Classic is a four team boys basketball tournament held every year in Erie, Pennsylvania that highlights some of the best talent the United States has to offer. Ever since it began in 1983, the tournament has been called one of the best four team tournaments in the country. In fact, Eddie Oliver from Hoops USA calls it "the best." Every year, nationally ranked teams with Division I and NBA-bound players travel to snowy Erie to battle it out for the championship and bragging rights as well as the opportunity to play against top talent. Since beginning twenty-five years ago in 1983, the McDonald's Classic has hosted over 25 state championship teams and nearly two dozen All-Americans. Hosted by Cathedral Preparatory School each year, the tournament has proven to be a financial success each year drawing thousands of basketball fans from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

The Classic

Since its beginning in 1983, the McDonald's Classic has been played at two locations. The Tullio Arena which is used by the Erie Otters was used to house the tournament in its earlier years but the location has since been moved to Gannon University since the late 80's. The Classic takes place at Gannon University's Hammermill Center each year in mid-January as a weekend event for the four teams competing. It is common to see college scouts from all over the country at the tournament looking for top talent.

The tournament is composed of four teams in a round-robin type format. The host school each year is Cathedral Preparatory School while three other teams come from near or far to compete. Classic teams usually arrive on the Thursday before the tournament begins. Each team is assigned a host from Cathedral Prep who caters to them for the entire day, makes sure they get to meals, and finds places they wish to visit. whaEach team is given rooms at the Avalon Hotel.

Thursday is usually spent as a time to settle in for each team. On Friday, practices are scheduled by the host for each team to attend. Each practice is held at Cathedral Preparatory School's gymnasium and is usually just a shoot-around for the team. Seeing students from the host school peering into the gym is quite common as they are always excited come Classic time. Friday night at 7:00 PM is when the first round occurs.

On Saturday, teams are allowed to relax. They may schedule a shoot-around at the Prep gymnasium if they wish or they may travel around Erie. The consolation match takes place at 7:00 PM between the two teams who lost the previous night and then the night is highlighted by the Classic Championship at 8:30 PM. After the championship game is decided a presentation ceremony takes place and words are said from the winning coach on the tournament. Sunday morning the teams return to their respected schools.

Classic History

1983 Champions: Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, New York

Bishop Loughlin 93, Beaver Falls 66

Cathedral Prep 54, Roman Catholic 52 (OT)

Consolation: Roman Catholic 57, Beaver Falls 46

Championship: Bishop Loughlin 70, Cathedral Prep 63

"Cathedral Prep stuns vaunted Roman Catholic in overtime on opening night of the first ever Classic, but loses the final to New York powerhouse Bishop Loughlin, 70-63. Prep would go on to the state finals."

1984 Champions: Christ the King, New York

Christ the King 64, VA Benedictine 52

Williamsport 51, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 63, Benedictine 48

Championship: Christ the King 61, Williamsport 53

"New York state champion Christ the King hands defending Pennsylvania champ Williamsport a 61-53 loss in the finals. Prep lost a 51-50 nail-biter to the Millionaires on the first night of action."

1985 Champions: Hopkinsville HS, Kentucky

DeMatha Catholic 58, Canton McKinley 41

Hopkinsville 61, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 46, Canton McKinley 41

Championship: Hopkinsville 74, DeMatha 69

"DeMatha Catholic enters the Classic as the #1 ranked team in the nation, but leaves an upset victim to Hopkinsville High, the Kentucky state champs, 74-69. Meanwhile the host Ramblers get a nice win in the consolation game versus Ohio power Canton McKinley."

1986 Champions: St. Joseph HS, Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland St. Joseph 79, Roman Catholic 64

Meadville (PA) 60, Cathedral Prep 44

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 59, Roman Catholic 58

Championship: St. Joseph 65, Meadville 58

"Cleveland St. Joseph comes to Erie featuring the tallest front line in America. Superstar Treg Lee leads the Vikings to a 65-58 victory in the finals over Meadville, a team that would make it all the way to the PA State AAAA championship game."

1987 Champions: Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA

Oak Hill Academy 86, NY St. Anthony 52

Cathedral Prep 56, McDowell (PA) 54

Consolation: St. Anthony 62, McDowell 60

Championship: Cathedral Prep 58, Oak Hill 48

"Coach Marcel Arribi makes his coaching debut at Prep and sneaks past archrival McDowell, 56-54, on opening night. However, the Ramblers full off one of the most stunning upsets in Prep history in the finals by handing top-ranked national power Oak Hill Academy to a 58-48 loss."

1988

"No tournament played. Tournament moved from a season tip-off into January and from the Civic Center to Gannon University."

1989 Champions: St. Anthony, New Jersey

St. Anthony 69, Admiral King 50

Cleveland St. Joseph 61, Cathedral Prep 38

Consolation: Admiral King 51, Cathedral Prep 50

Championship: St. Anthony 65, St. Joseph 47

"National Champion New Jersey St. Anthony, led by Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere and Jerry Walker, make easy pickings of Admiral King, 69-50 and Cleveland St. Joseph, 65-47, and finishes the season undefeated."

1990 Champions: Oak Hill Academy, Virginia

Oak Hill 86, Meadville (PA) 49

Cathedral Prep 68, Baltimore Dunbar 62

Consolation: Baltimore Dunbar 72, Meadville 48

Championship: Oak Hill 76, Cathedral Prep 63

"Oak Hill Academy, led by Anthony Cade, returns to the Classic as America's top-rated team and gains a measure of revenge for their loss in 1987 by handling Prep 76-63 in the title tilt."

1991 Champions: Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA

Bishop Loughlin 71, Detroit County Day 69

Cathedral Prep 82, Connecticut St. Joseph 65

Consolation: Detroit County Day 87, St. Joseph 68

Championship: Cathedral Prep 70, Bishop Loughlin 69

"Detroit County Day, led by unanimous All-American Chris Webber, came to the Classic as the favorites, but were upset in the first round, 71-69, by Brooklyn Bishop Loughlin, who were led by Kentucky-bound Andre Riddick. Loughlin's joy was short-lived, however, as they fell victim to the host Ramblers, 70-69, on a last-second three pointer by Jim Hamilton in the most exciting Classic game of all-time. Prep became the first school to win two Classic crowns."

1992 Champions: Baltimore Dunbar, Maryland

Baltimore Dunbar 66, Oak Hill Academy 57

Dayton Dunbar 71, Cathedral Prep 66

Consolation: Oak Hill 70, Cathedral Prep 28

Championship: Baltimore Dunbar 82, Dayton Dunbar 66

"This year again featured the nation's top-ranked team, Baltimore Dunbar, and the Poets live up to advance billing by thrashing #3 Oak Hill on opening night, then crushing Dayton Dunbar in the finals."

1993 Champions: Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA

LaSalle Academy 48, Bishop Loughlin 47

Cathedral Prep 53, Middletown 44

Consolation: Bishop Loughlin 83, Middletown 45

Championship: Cathedral Prep 38, LaSalle 32

"Bishop Loughlin makes a third Classic appearance as the favorites, but does not make the finals due to an upset loss to New York LaSalle Academy 48-47. Ed Elisma, a 6'10" shotblocker, is touted as New York City's finest and leads LaSalle into the finals against Prep who beat Middletown 53-44. Prep stuns LaSalle to 38-32 to win its third Classic crown."

1994 Champions: Rice HS, New York

Rice 78, St. Patrick 49

Villa-Angela St. Joseph 71, Cathedral Prep 61

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 62, St. Patrick 47

Championship: Rice 80, Villa-Angela St. Joseph 58

"Rice High School arrives in Erie as the #1 team in the country, led by the nation's best player, Felipe Lopez. The Raiders do not disappoint as they demolish St. Patrick, 78-49, and Villa-Angela St. Joseph, 80-58. Prep defeat St. Patrick 62-47 to win the consolation."

1995 Champions: Paterson Catholic, New Jersey

Paterson Catholic 69, Simon Gratz 66

Cathedral Prep 59, Chester 52

Consolation: Simon Gratz 64, Chester 46

Championship: Paterson Catholic 62, Cathedral Prep 55

"Paterson Catholic gets a record 41 points from the nation's #1 player, Tim Thomas, to edge Simon Gratz, 69-66, on opening night. Prep's own All-American, Jed Ryan, notches 31 the same night to lead the Ramblers over Chester High, 59-52. Paterson wins the title over Prep, 62-55, as Thomas garners 23 more points for a tournament-record 64."

1996 Champions: Paterson Catholic, New Jersey

Paterson Catholic 65, LaSalle 51

St. Frances 86, Cathedral Prep 60

Consolation: LaSalle 44, Cathedral Prep 40 (2OT)

Championship: Paterson Catholic 70, St. Frances, 50

"Paterson Catholic becomes the Classic's first repeat champion with a relatively easy 70-50 title game conquest of St. Frances from Baltimore. Tim Thomas, in his second Classic, scored 29 points in the championship game, added to the 25 he compiled on opening night in a 65-51 ousting of LaSalle Academy. Prep finished fourth after a loss to St. Frances, 86-60, and a heartbreaking double overtime defeat to LaSalle, 44-40."

1997 Champions: St. Edward, Cleveland, Ohio

St. Edward 68, Detroit County Day, 61

Cathedral Prep 63, Admiral King 44

Consolation: Admiral King 63, Detroit County Day 62 (OT)

Championship: St. Edward 52, Cathedral Prep 41

"Prep neutralizes All-American Sam Clancey, who scores only nine points, but Steve Logan and Gino Bartalone combine for 27 tallies to lead St. Edward to the crown over the Ramblers, 52-41. In the consolation contest, Javin Hunter's 30 points is not enough, and Detroit County Day falls to Admiral King 63-62 in overtime."

1998 Champions: Rice HS, New York

Rice 81, Simon Gratz 45

Hatboro Horsham 69, Cathedral Prep 46

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 51, Simon Gratz 42

Championship: Rice 80, Hatboro-Horsham 61

"Rice High School becomes only the third team in Classic history to win more than one title by dominating Hatboro-Horsham 80-61, led by Anthony Glover. All-American Matt Carroll scored 25 points in the opener to lead Hatboro Horsham over Prep, but the Ramblers bounced backed with a solid 51-42 consolation win against Simon Gratz. "

1999 Champions: St. Patrick High, New Jersey

St. Patrick 55, Westchester 47

Archbishop Carroll 54, Cathedral Prep 47

Consolation: Westchester 65, Cathedral Prep 45

Championship: St. Patrick 57, Archbishop Carroll 45

"New Jersey St. Patrick avenged their disappointing 1994 performance and won the Classic Crown win an opening night 55-47 win over LA Westchester and a 57-45 finals victory against Washington Archbishop Carroll. Jerome Holman and Samuel Dalembert were Celtic standouts. Prep lost both nights to Carroll, 54-47, and Westchester, 65-45."

2000 LaSalle Academy, New York

Williamsport 70, Simon Gratz 52

LaSalle Academy 59, Cathedral Prep 44

Consolation: Simon Gratz 59, Cathedral Prep 30

Championship: LaSalle 63, Williamsport 55

"LaSalle Academy finally takes home a Classic crown, led by Rodney Epperson and Famous Brown. Defending Pennsylvania AAAA champ Williamsport, featuring All-American Chevy Troutman, is the victim 63-55. LaSalle defeated Prep, 59-44, on opening night, while Williamsport dismantled Simon Gratz, 70-52. Gratz routed Prep, 59-30 in the consolation."

2001 Rice High School, New York

Rice 77, LaSalle Academy 46

Lexington Catholic 74, Cathedral Prep 66

Consolation: LaSalle 49, Cathedral Prep 47

Championship: Rice 79, Lexington Catholic 61

"Rice High School won their third Classic title with a 79-61 win over Lexington Catholic. Shagari Alleyne, a 7'4" sophomore sensation, teamed with Ken Eusey for 43 points. LaSalle Academy nudged Prep, 49-47, for consolation honors. Rice blasted last year's champs, LaSalle, 77-46 and Jack Heissenbuttel led Lexington over Prep 74-66 on opening night."

2002 Westchester, Los Angeles, California

Westchester 93, Washington Dunbar 51

Chester 54, Cathedral Prep 48

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 69, Dunbar 62

Championship: Westchester 100, Chester 50

"Westchester High entered the Classic as the nation's #1 team and did not disappoint. Setting tournament records for most points, rebounds and steals, the Comets easily disposed of D.C. Dunbar, 93-51, in the opener and routed Chester 100-50 to claim their first Classic title. Chester edged Prep 54-48, on opening night, but Prep, led by Andy Kubinski and Mike Sertz, bounced back to claim consolation honors, 69-62, over Dunbar."

2003 McQuaid Jesuit, Rochester, New York

Rice 59, Georgetown Prep 55 (OT)

McQuaid Jesuit 78, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Georgetown Prep 49, Cathedral Prep 43

Championship: McQuaid Jesuit 69, Rice 63

"McQuaid Jesuit was ranked #6 in the nation, but faced 3-time Classic champion Rice High in the finals. Rice, ranked #16, was led by 7'3" Shagari Alleyne, but Tyler Relph, Ryan Pettinella and Marty O'Sullivan combined for 55 points to lead McQuaid to a 69-63 win. McQuaid dropped Prep in the opener, 78-50, while Rice disposed of Georgetown Prep which was led by 7'2" Roy Hibbert and 6'9" Davis Nwankwo, 59-55. Georgetown grabbed consolation honors over the Ramblers, 49-43."

2004 Edgewater, Orlando, Florida

Edgewater 81, Cardinal Dougherty 69

Mount Vernon 72, Cathedral Prep 43

Consolation: Cardinal Dougherty 78, Cathedral Prep 60

Championship: Edgewater 69, Mount Vernon 67

"Orlando's Edgewater High lived up to their preseason billing as the nation's #1 team by beating a tenacious Mount Vernon squad, 69-67, to win the '04 Classic crown. All-American superstar Darius Washington converted a layup with only 15 seconds to play to seal the win. Mount Vernon was #4 in the national rankings. Edgewater snuck by Philadelphia Cardinal Dougherty (#7 ranking) on opening night, while Mount Vernon thrashed Prep 72-43. Dougherty made Prep 0-2 with a 78-60 consolation win."

2005 Fairley, Memphis, Tennessee

Fairley 634, Westbury Christian 61

Bishop O'Connell 79, Cathedral Prep 58

Consolation: Westbury Christian 51, Cathedral Prep 46

Championship: Fairley 49, Bishop O'Connell 44

"Fairley High from Memphis, Tennessee, pulled a mild upset of Virginia's Bishop O'Connell High, 49-44, to win the '05 Classic title. Fairley, led by Anthony Mason Jr., barely edged powerful Westbury Christian on opening night, while O'Connell, starring North Carolina-bound All-American Marcus Ginyard, pounded Prep 79-58. Prep gave a strong effort in the consolation before succumbing 51-46 to Westbury Christian."

2006 Rufus King, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rufus King 67, Mount Vernon 57

Cathedral Prep 88, Chester 84 (OT)

Consolation: Mount Vernon 76, Chester 67

Championship: Rufus King 65, Cathedral Prep 48

"Four-time Wisconsin State Champion Rufus King High from Milwaukee rode into town and carried off the Classic championship by knocking off New York power Mount Vernon, 67-57, on opening night, and then overwhelming Cathedral Prep, 65-48, in the title tilt. Prep, which hadn't been in the finals since 1997, beat AAAA Pennsylvania champion Chester High, 88-84 in overtime to reach the championship game."

2007 St. Edward, Cleveland, Ohio

St. Edward 68, Westchester 65

Solon OH 63, Cathedral Prep 55

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 64, Westchester 60

Championship: St. Edward 70, Solon 41

"St. Edward, led by National Junior of the Year Delvon Roe, made the short trip to Erie and won their second Classic title by edging Westchester, 68-65 in the opening round before trouncing Solon High, 70-41, in the finals. Solon had squeaked by Prep on opening night, but Prep pulled off the biggest upset in the tournament over #10 ranked Westchester, 64-60, in the consolation game."

Ron Sertz

Ron Sertz is an icon in Erie, Pennsylvania. He had been in the public eye long before the McDonald's Classic was organized as an athlete, coach, author, administator, and entrepreneur. Today Sertz is known as the Director of Operations for the Erie Otters hockey team of the Ontario Hockey League but back in the 1980s he was known as the man who began the McDonald's Classic. After a year as Athletic Director at Cathedral Prep, he decided to begin a top-level tip-off classic for the community.

This tip-off tournament became the McDonald's Classic in 1983 and brought in three strong teams (Beaver Falls of PA, Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn, NY, and Roman Catholic of Philadelphia, PA). The tournament was considered a massive success in the Erie area and Bishop Loughlin was crowned as the first Classic Champion by defeating the host Cathedral Prep Ramblers 70-63. Sertz decided to move the tournament into even more prominence and began to work harder and harder on bringing even stronger and more recognized teams every year.

Sertz is the founder of the annual McDonald's Classic tournament and is considered one of the top athletic personnel in Pennsylvania athletics. He is still in charge of the Classic though he has since left Prep to focus primarily on the Erie Otters. Sertz is an icon at Cathedral Preparatory School by being the primary force behind Prep's movement into national caliber competition in their athletic programs.

During the 25th anniversary of the Classic in 2008, Sertz announced his retirement as classic director.

The Host

Since its inception in 1983, the McDonald's Classic has been hosted by the Cathedral Prep Ramblers of Erie, Pennsylvania. Cathedral Preparatory School is a male-only Roman Catholic high school in Erie, Pennsylvania, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Prep, as it is commonly called, was established in 1921 by then Erie Catholic Bishop John Mark Gannon. Bishop Gannon founded Prep as an all-male Catholic high school. The Cathedral Prep basketball team has won two PIAA Basketball Championships (1980 and 1993) and three PCIAA (Pennsylvania Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association) in 1953, 1954, and 1971. Cathedral Prep has turned out a total of 22 Division 1 basketball players in its 80+ years. In its role as the host team, Prep has always played the second, or 8:30, game of the first round. Various members of the school provide meals, direction and other services for the visiting teams as well as help out at the games themselves with things like photography, trophy presentation and security.

Best Moments

In the 25th Anniversary Program, director Ron Sertz revealed his (and many others) favorite memories from the history of the Classic.

"Best Team"

St. Anthony (N.J.) from Classic '89 (eventual national champions led by Bobby Hurley, Terry DeHere and Jerry Walker)

"Best Player"

Chris Webber, Detroit County Day ("best pure combination of raw talent and refined skills")

"Best Coach"

Marcel Arribi, Cathedral Prep ("never blessed with national talent, yet led Prep to 6 title game appearances and 3 titles")

"Best Game"

Bishop Loughlin vs. Cathedral Prep, 1991 Championship (Prep's Jim Hamilton won the Classic in a monumental upset with a buzzer-beating 3 pointer)

"Best Moment"

Cathedral Prep's 1987 Title run (in the most exciting Classic ever, Prep defeated cross-city archrival McDowell in the opener and upset national #1 Oak Hill Academy in the final 58-48)

"Biggest Upset"

Cathedral Prep over Oak Hill, 1987 ("no one gave Prep a chance but coach Arribi outcoached Oak Hill's Steve Smith and came away with the first of his three titles")

"Worst Moment"

Lenny Cooke shatters backboard, 2000 (a pregame warmup dunk broak the backboard and delayed the title game by an hour)

"Most Exciting Play"

Melvin Levitt's dunk, 1994 ("Levitt elevated completed over Prep's Keith Nies' head and threw it down from 6-8 feet from the hoop")

Participants

Schools from all over the country have competed in the McDonald's Classic. Some teams go by bus others by air and some have just had to travel across Erie to play. Teams have come from states such as New York, California, Texas, Florida just to name a few. Over the 25 years of its existence, 45 different schools have participated in Classic. They are listed below.

List of Participants

*Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie, PA) (1983-present)
*McDowell High School (Erie, PA) (1987)
*Meadville High School (Meadville, PA) (1986, 1989)
*Beaver Falls High School (Beaver Falls, PA) (1983)
*Williamsport High School (Williamsport, PA) (1984, 2000)
*Simon Gratz High School (Philadelphia, PA) (1995, 1998, 2001)
*Cardinal Dougherty High School (Philadelphia, PA) (2004)
*Hatboro-Horsham High School (Horsham, PA) (1998)
*Chester High School (Chester, PA) (1995, 2002, 2006)
*Roman Catholic High School (Philadelphia, PA) (1983)
*St. Edward High School (Lakewood, OH) (1997, 2007, 2008)
*Middletown High School (Middletown, OH) (1993)
*Dunbar High School (Dayton, OH) (1992)
*Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School (Cleveland, OH) (1986, 1989, 1994)
*Canton McKinley High School (Canton, OH) (1985)
*Admiral King High School (Lorain, OH) (1989, 1997)
*Solon High School (Solon, OH) (2007)
*Christ The King Regional High School (Queens, NY) (1984)
*Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School (Brooklyn, NY) (1983, 1991, 1993)
*St. Anthony's High School (Long Island, NY) (1987)
*LaSalle Academy (New York, NY) (1993, 1996, 2000, 2001)
*Rice High School (New York, NY) (1994, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008)
*Mount Vernon High School (Mount Vernon, NY) (2004, 2006)
*McQuaid Jesuit High School (Rochester, NY) (2002)
*Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington, KY) (2001)
*Hopkinsville High School (Hopkinsville, KY) (1985)
*Detroit County Day School (Detroit, MI) (1991, 1997)
*Benedictine High School (Richmond, VA) (1984)
*Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA) (1987-1992)
*Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School (Alexandria, VA) (2005)
*St. Joseph (Brookfield, CT) (1991)
*Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) (1999)
*Dunbar High School (Washington D.C.) (2002)
*St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) (1996)
*Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Baltimore, MD) (1990, 1992)
*DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD) (1985)
*Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda, MD)
*St. Anthony High School (Jersey City, NJ) (1989)
*St. Patrick's High School (Elizabeth, NJ) (1993, 1999, 2008)
*Paterson Catholic High School (Paterson, NJ) (1995, 1996)
*Westerchester High School (Westchester, CA) (1999, 2002, 2007)
*Rufus King High School (Milwaukee, WI) (2006)
*Fairley High School (Memphis, TN) (2005)
*Westbury Christian School (Houston, TX) (2005)
*Edgewater High School (Orlando, FL) (2004)

Classic Champions

In the 25 year history of the McDonald's Classic, 18 different high schools from across the nation have won the championship. Four schools have won multiple championships led by Rice High (NY) with 4 and Cathedral Prep with 3.

Titles by School

Notable Alumni

*Terry Dehere (1989) star at Seton Hall University, drafted by LA Clippers in 1993
*Bobby Hurley (1989) Duke University All-American, drafted by Sacramento Kings in 1993
*Chris Webber (1991) University of Michigan standout, drafted by Orlando Magic in 1993
*Felipe López (1994) St. John's University then drafted by San Antonio Spurs in 1998
*Tim Thomas (1995) NCAA Freshmen of the Year at Villanova University, drafted by New Jersey Nets in 1998
*Ron Artest (1996) St. John's University standout, drafted by Chicago Bulls in 1999
*Melvin Levett] (1994) University of Cincinnati standout, drafted by Detroit Pistons in 1995
*Kevin Freeman (1996) University of Connecticut co-captain, drafted by New Jersey Nets in 2000
*Donta Bright (1992) University of Massachusetts, signed with New Jersey Nets in 1998
*Mark Karcher (1997) Temple University standout, drafted by Greenville Groove in NBDL draft
*Julian Blanks (1995-1998) four year starter at La Salle University, plays in the ABA
*Keith Booth (1995) University of Maryland star, drafted by Chiago Bulls in 1997
*Elvis Grbac (1988) University of Michigan football quarterback, drafted by Kansas City Chiefs in 1993
*James Major (1983) Seton Hall University star
*Desmond Howard (1987) University of Michigan standout football player, drafted by Washington Redskins in 1992
*Jerry Walker (1989) Seton Hall University and Big East Defensive Player of the Year
*Danny Hurley (1989) Seton Hall University star point guard, brother of Bobby Hurley
*Jerod Mustaf (1985) University of Maryland top performer, drafted by New York Knicks in 1990
*Lenny Cooke (2000) declared for NBA Draft out of high school in 2002, currently in CBA
*Samuel Dalembert (1999) Seton Hall University, drafted by Philadelphia 76ers in 2001
*Jeff McInnis (1992) University of North Carolina star, signed with Washington Wizards in 1996
*Andre Barrett (1998, 2001) Seton Hall University, signed with Houston Rockets
*God Shammgod (1996) Providence College star, drafted by Washington Wizards in 1997
*Ed Elisma (1993) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball stand out, drafted by Seattle Supersonics in 1997
*Shaheen Holloway (1993) Seton Hall University star
*Sam Clancy (1997) University of Southern California star, drafted by Philadelphia 76ers in 2002
*Kenny Satterfield (1998) University of Cincinnati impact player, drafted by Dallas Mavericks in 2001
*Hassan Adams (2002) University of Arizona standout, drafted by New Jersey Nets in 2006
*Andre Riddick (1991) University of Kentucky roleplayer, currently playing ball in Europe
*Matt Carroll (1998) University of Notre Dame three point shooting superstar, signed with New York Knicks in 2003
*Trevor Ariza (2002) UCLA standout, drafted by New York Knicks in 2004
*Herve Lamizana (1999) Rutgers University star but went undrafted
*Chevy Troutman (2000) University of Pittsburgh contributor off the bench, plays in France
*Darius Washington (2004) All-American at University of Memphis, plays in Greece
*Jim Hamilton (1990, 1991) Air Force star and one of the greatest three point shooters in Erie history
*Jed Ryan (1992-1996) University of Pennsylvania shooting guard
*Marcus Ginyard (2005) University of North Carolina guard
*Kyle Lowry (2004) Villanova University guard, drafted by Memphis Grizzlies in 2006
*Roy Hibbert (2003) starting center at Georgetown University, all Big-East 1st team (2007)
*Booker Coleman (1993-1995) starting center at University of Wisconsin-Madison, went undrafted
*Keith Benjamin (2004) University of Pittsburgh swingman
*Jeremy Barr (2005) University of Southern California forward
*Dallas Lauderdale (2007) Ohio State University center
*Darrin Govens (2006) St. Joseph's University guard
*Jonathan Mitchell (2004, 2006) University of Florida forward
*Delvon Roe (2007, 2008) All-American and Michigan State University recruit
*Kemba Walker (2008) University of Connecticut recruit
*Tom Pritchard (2008) University of Indiana recruit
*Quintrell Thomas (2008) University of Kansas recruit
*Dexter Strickland (2008) University of North Carolina recruit
*Chris Fouch (2008) Drexel University recruit

All-Tournament Team

For the 25th, or Silver, Anniversary of the event in 2008, tournament director Ron Sertz selected an all-star team of the greatest players and coaches who have participated in the McDonald's Classic. He selected four teams with 6 players (one from Cathedral Prep) and a coach on each team. Selections were based on tournament performance, not future college or professional success.

First Team

Fourth Team

Points 2 Players, Game

Field Goals Made, Game

Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Three-Point Field Goals Attempted, Game

Free Throws Made, Tournament

Assists, Game

Turnovers, Tournament

Blocks, Game

Triple Doubles

Rebounds, Game

Field Goals Made, Tournament

Three-Point Field Goals Made, Game

Three Point Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Free Throws Attempted, Game

Assists, Tournament

Fewest Turnovers, Game

Blocks, Tournament

Personal Fouls, Game

Points, Quarter

Margin of Victory, Game