MLK Classic at De La Salle Game 4 preview: Jesuit vs. Clovis North, How to Watch

Sac-Joaquin and Central Section powers face off with possible NorCal playoff implications

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 Sports 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

“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 fourth of eight previews. 

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

Jesuit vs. Clovis North

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Head coaches: Tim Kelly (Jesuit), Tony Amundsen (Clovis North)

2023-24 records (as of Jan. 11): Jesuit (11-5), Clovis North (13-5)

Points per game (allowed): Jesuit 65.5 (56.3), Clovis North 72.1 (63.9)

Terrific trios: Jesuit — Cole Epperson, Kevin Haupt, Jaylen Williams; Clovis North — Connor Amundsen, Jordan Espinoza, Loukas Jones.

Live stream: NFHS link

Briefly: Jesuit graduated one of California’s most highly coveted players in Andrej Stojakovic, son of former NBA standout Peja, but return two formidable players in 6-8 Cole Epperson, the team’s MVP at last year’s MLK Classic event, and hot-shooting Kevin Haupt. The Marauders rebounded from an early three-game losing streak by winning eight of 10 including a 104-74 win at Granite Bay on Dec. 20. With Stojakovic, now a starter at Stanford, nursing a bum ankle last season Epperson had 33 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 63-52 MLK Classic win over Riordan. This season he had 24 points, 13 rebouns and three blocks in a big 56-55 win over SoCal power Redondo Union in the Classic at Damien. ... Clovis North was the NorCal Division 1 champion in 2021-22 thanks in part to a very talented sophomore Connor Amundsen, who sat out all of last season with a knee injury. With him back and plenty of more weapons, coach Amundsen has another Central Section juggernaut. The Broncos played in the top division at Damien, losing games to Top 20 state teams, St. John Bosco (80-60) and Windward (71-66), but also handled SoCal powers Heritage Christian (69-59) and Campbell Hall (74-70). They opened TRAC play with a 68-54 win over Clovis East on Jan. 9

Cole Epperson slamming two down of his game-high 33 in a MLK Classic win over Riordan in 2023 / Photo: Ralph Thompason

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

MLK Classic at De La Salle Game 2 preview: Folsom vs. Oakwood-North Hollywood, How to Watch

MLK Classic at De La Salle Game 3 preview: Notre Dame Prep (Ariz.) vs. Modesto Christian, How to Watch