With the ever present COVID-19 causing a new norm across the country, many high schools are putting regulations into place regarding their athletic teams in 2020-2021. Such is the case for several of the teams slated to take part in this year’s Culligan City of Palms Classic. Due to the new protocols, some of the teams will not be able to participate, necessitating the addition of other teams to the six-day event.
In the Classic Bracket, a trio of Florida schools will replace three others that are bowing out this year. Bartow High School (Bartow, Fla.), Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Oak Ridge High School (Orlando, Fla.) replace Blanche Ely High School (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Fenwick High School (Chicago, Ill.) and Northeast High School (Oakland Park, Fla.).
With Bartow’s move to the Classic Bracket, Bishop McLaughlin (Shady Hills, Fla.) has been invited to the Sunshine Series to replace them.
Also, because of COVID-19, the Signature Series lineup was not completed when the initial announcement of teams was made back in July. At that time, only West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.) and Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.) had been announced. Since then, Arizona Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) and Legacy Early College (Greenville S.C.) have been added to round out the slate.
Don’t take this to mean that there’s a loss of talent at the tournament, however, as we’re still looking at six nationally ranked teams in the main bracket. In addition six of the top 10 juniors in the country (all from Florida and Georgia) will be participating and they will undoubtedly be pushed to new heights as they work to establish themselves as the best in their class.
Don’t forget to check out the website, https://cityofpalmsclassic.