Prep Hoops: Mustang Madness returns bigger & better

Bigger? Yes. Better? Most Definitely.

The Mustang Madness basketball showcase is returning to McCracken County High School in Paducah, Ky for a second edition this week and like last year, several highly touted University of Kentucky recruits will be there again this season.

Locally, Eldorado will tip off the tournament Thursday against the host Mustangs at 6 p.m.

Last year, the Mustang Madness debuted as part of a Bluegrass Signature Series that included the Marshall County Hoop Fest and the Bluegrass Showcase in Lexington and included now Wildcat players Trey Lyles and Tyler Ulis.

Immediate UK targets at this years madness include Malik Newman (Callaway, Miss), Cheick Diallo (Our Savior, N.Y.) and Charles Matthews (St. Rita, IL). Matthews has joined Isaiah Briscoe and Skal Labissiere as commitments so far for the class of 2015.

Josh Jackson and Thon Maker are among the class of 2016 prospects scheduled to play at Madness. Both players are being recruited by UK and are considered top-five recruits in the junior class.

Matthews and St. Rita take on Arsenal Tech (Ind.) - the defending state champions and Lyles' alma mater - on Friday. That game will be played in nearby Massac County, due to out-of-state travel restrictions for St. Rita.

While the surplus of basketball all-stars will be in Paducah, college coaches will be as well. That list is likely to include Kentucky's John Calipari and Louisville's Rick Pitino.

Eldorado and McCracken County will get the marquee game of the night with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. The night begins with Paducah Tilghman and Graves County (Mayfield) girls going at 4:30, followed by McCracken Co. and Massac Co. girls at 6 p.m. Carlisle School (Va.) and Quality Education (NC) will finish off festivities Friday at 9 p.m.

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

BLUEGRASS

SIGNATURE SERIES

Mustang Madness

McCracken County High School

(All times Central)

Thursday, Jan. 8

4:30 p.m. - Paducah Tilghman vs. Graves Co. girls

6 p.m. - McCracken Co. vs. Massac girls

7:30 p.m. - McCracken Co. vs. Eldorado

9 p.m. - Carlisle School (Va.) vs. Quality Education (N.C.)

Friday, Jan. 9

4 p.m. - Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs. Quality Education (N.C.)

5:30 p.m. - Callaway (Miss.) vs. Curie (Ill.)

7 p.m. - Our Savior (N.Y.) vs. Life Center (N.J.)

9 p.m. - St. Rita (Ill.) vs. Arsenal Tech (Ind.) at Massac County, Ill.

10:30 p.m. - Carlisle School (Va.) vs. Life Center (N.J.)

Saturday, Jan. 10

9:30 a.m. - McCracken County vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins girls

11 a.m. - Murray vs. Owensboro Catholic girls

12:30 p.m. - Murray vs. Velma (Miss.)

2 p.m. - McCracken Co. vs. Muhlenberg Co.

3:30 p.m. - Arsenal Tech (Ind.) vs. Union City (Tenn.)

5 p.m. - Prime Prep (Texas) vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.)

6:30 p.m. - Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs. Callaway (Miss.)

8 p.m. - Our Savior (N.Y.) vs. Orangeville Prep (Canada)

9:30 p.m. - Sunrise Christian (Kan.) vs. Arlington Country Day (Fla.)

Sunday, Jan. 11

1 p.m. - Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs. Life Center (N.J.)

2:30 p.m. - Sunrise Christian (Kan.) vs. Orangeville Prep (Canada)

4 p.m. - Arlington Country Day (Fla.) vs. Prime Prep (Texas)