Preble Shawnee’s undefeated boys’ basketball team is ranked third in the state in Division III and will take on Lloyd Memorial (Ky.) in the The Beacon Orthopaedics Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational on Monday, Jan. 15 at 11:30 a.m.
CAMDEN — Preble Shawnee’s boys’ basketball team will be making its second straight appearance at the The Beacon Orthopaedics Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational.
The Arrows (11-0) are ranked third in the state in Division III and will take on Lloyd Memorial (Ky.) Monday, Jan. 15, at 11:30 a.m. in the first game of the day at Kettering Fairmont’s Trent Arena. Four other games are set to follow.
“Just another great opportunity. Thankful,” Preble Shawnee coach Jake Turner said. “I know our guys are excited to have another opportunity to play in it and the community is as well. It was an unbelievable crowd last year. A lot of people there for early game on a Sunday morning, it shows how much they care about basketball, how much they care about these kids. So just to have that opportunity it’s something this group will never forget.”
The game is billed as battle between Division I recruits, as Purdue Fort Wayne commit Mason Shrout leads Preble Shawnee against Junior EJ Walker, who holds offers from Butler, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio State, Dayton, Xavier and more from Lloyd Memorial.
Shrout helped lead Preble Shawnee to the regional final last season in Division III and with big man Logan Hawley returning, expectations have been high once again for Turner’s group. Freshman shooter Knox Mills brings new energy to the Arrows as well.
Isaac Blankenship, along with Brayden Robinette return to the starting lineup and are joined by Brody Morton to round out the Arrows starting five. Senior Case Roell gives the Arrows a solid seven player rotation.
EJ Walker is coached by his dad, Michael Walker, and the Juggernauts 2025 trio of Walker, Isaiah Sebastian and Elijah Collins are one of the best in northern Kentucky.
“A lot of schools try to play in this, and a lot of schools have never played in it,” Turner said. “For us to have back-to-back years, some of these guys it’s their second year getting to play in this and then we’ll have some guys will be the first year playing, so it’s just awesome.”
The tournament is now in its 21st year and will take place during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend with games beginning on Friday, Jan. 12.
“This is what high school basketball is all about. A great stage,” Turner said. “It’s one of the best events around here during the season. So, looking forward to it. Another good test for us. We want to play the best and that’s the opportunity we’re going to get.”
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
