Once again, the Hooters Holiday Shootout will unwrap a strong collection of post players and flashy guards, strong national teams, some of the state's best programs and an assortment of local contenders such as Lakewood and Brandon for its 11th edition, which tips off Thursday.
But while all eyes might focus in on the obvious - the tournament is heavy with Division I-bound centers, including 6-foot-9 Maryland signee James Gist of Good Counsel (Md.) and 6-10 Louisville signee Terrance Farley of Pleasure Ridge Park (Ky.) - teams like Gibbs have a chance to shine.
That's how coach Larry Murphy is pitching it to his players, who have drawn Good Counsel in the opening round.
"The kids, they're excited about it," Murphy said. "They know we're playing a big kid who's already committed to Maryland. I've been pumping it up pretty good at practice. They know they're going to have to play well to even be in the game."
The Gladiators don't have anyone in Gist's league, so their four-guard offense stopping a potential 6-9 All-American likely will determine Gibbs' fate. Will this be a springboard into bigger and better things or a painful lesson that the Gladiators are not quite ready for primetime, despite their 6-1 start?
Murphy is trying to restore some pride in the once powerful program, which made the final four as recently as 1991 but has struggled since. Until hiring Murphy last year, the program lacked stability and hasn't been to the playoffs since 1994.
In fact, Murphy said he was shocked the Hooters tournament people invited his team.
Gibbs is off to its best start in years, and over the weekend beat Bradenton Bayshore and Bloomingdale to win the Middleton Holiday Tournament. Its only loss was to Seminole, in which it squandered a 29-12 halftime lead.
Win or lose Friday, the Gladiators will play Brandon, No. 9 in the state, or San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Mission College Prep. Murphy relishes the opportunity to see his team perform against stiffer competition.
"We've got a chance to do some things," he said.
Gibbs isn't the only team entering the Hooters tournament on a roll. Lakewood, ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 4A, won the Brick City Classic last week, beating 4A No. 10 Pensacola 77-74 in the final. Sean Morrison and Coryon Ross averaged 20 points apiece in three victories.
The Spartans also beat Jacksonville Jackson 76-36 and New York St. Mary's 78-70.
"It's no secret that the local teams are our draw," tournament team selection chairman Matt Ramker said. "Lakewood and Bogie have been very good over the course of the whole tournament. It seems one or two have always been in the semifinals. That's been our bread and butter."
The local teams are a big draw, but so too are out-of-area teams. This year's collection might be the best overall group Ramker has had.
But defending champion Orlando Edgewater does not return. Ramker's lone regret about the 2003 field is not landing arguably the state's best team and best player in Darius Washington.
"That would have put us over the top," Ramker said.
As a result, this year's tournament is hard to handicap. The balanced field includes:
Brandon and 6-6 junior forward Zaronn Cann, considered one of Florida's top underclassmen.
Cypress Creek and Florida A&M bound Calvin Henry.
Fort Myers, a Class 5A final four team last season, and 6-9 Tulane signee Robinson Louisme.
Hawthorne and junior Cornelius Ingram, one of the best athletes in the country and a quarterback recruit by Florida and Florida State.
Mission College Prep and its strong front court of 6-7 seniors Bass Yessoufou, Garrett Wood, and Baya Radulovic.
Defending 2A state champs Miami Pace, ranked No. 2, which returns all but one player.
Bradenton's Pendleton School, a branch of the IMG Basketball Academy.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic, making its third straight trip to the tournament.
South Miami, ranked No. 10 in Class 6A, and 6-10 center Abdul Herrera.
Manchester (N.H.) Trinity with the imposing frontline of 6-11 Luke Bonner and 6-7 Chad Millard.
