MLK Classic at De La Salle Game 1 preview: Moreau Catholic vs. Redwood-Larkspur

Two promising squads with similar sharp upward streaks to start the season are each looking to regain that form in the first game of the 26th annual event at De La Salle

One of California's top one-day Martin Luther King Jr. boys basketball showcases enters its 26th season on Monday, Jan. 15. 

That's when the MLK Classic at De La Salle, presented by SBLive and sponsored by Acrisure takes place, featuring eight games starting with the 8:45 a.m. matchup between Moreau Catholic vs. Redwood-Larkspur. TICKETS HERE

2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Classic at De La Salle, presented by SBLive, six days away

“We are proud of this event as it has become a staple in Bay Area basketball over the years,” said De La Salle coach Marcus Schroeder, the former Associate Head Coach at St. Mary’s College. “Of all the great lineups of teams this event has seen in the past quarter-century, the 26th edition of the MLK Classic will not disappoint — the best of the best in Northern California will all participate this year along with great programs from Southern California and Arizona.”

Here is the first of eight previews. 

SESSION 1
Moreau Catholic vs. Redwood-Larkspur

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Head coaches: Frank Knight (MC), Jay Demaestri (R)

2023-24 records (as of Jan. 1): Moreau Catholic (6-7), Redwood (9-9)

Points per game (allowed): Moreau Catholic 61.2 (61.6), Redwood 56.3 (58.4)

Terrific trios: Moreau Catholic — Cole Loud, Kevin Chapman, Dominic Walker; Redwood — Jake Vasquez, Bjorn Ryning, Brennan Woodley.

Live stream: NFHS Network link

Kevin Chapman II, Moreau Catholic / Photo: Dennis Lee

Briefly: Two teams that hovered around .500 mark in the nonleague season are trying to find themselves. Both programs are regular 20-win teams, both with lots of success recently, With Demaestri leading the Giants to 23-7 and 24-6 campaigns the last two seasons, while Knight has led the Mariners to at least 22 wins in each of the last 10 seasons but one, not counting COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. ... Redwood has taken on all comers throughout the Bay Area and scored some monster wins, including 62-52 vs. San Ramon Valley, currently ranked No. 15 in the state, and Bay Area ranked St. Ignatius (55-49) and University (67-64). It was all part of an impressive 6-0 start, but that was followed with losing six of seven. Since then the Giants have tried to find their footing. ... Moreau Catholic had a similar hot start, winning four of five, including impressive wins over Vanden (56-52), Oakland Tech (75-54) and James Logan (79-53). But the Mariners also lost six of seven, before opening MVAL play on Tuesday with an impressive 85-56 victory when six players combined to score 66 points, including Chapman, Jaylen Arnold and Andrew Placido with 12 apiece. 

Top 30 Players to Watch at the 26th MLK Classic at De La Salle, presented by SBLive Sports