MLK Classic at De La Salle Game 5 preview: De La Salle vs. Crean Lutheran, How to Watch

Host Spartans, led by one of the top juniors in the country in Alec Blair, take on the high-scoring Saints for the first time in school history

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 fifth of eight previews. 

Crean Lutheran vs. De La Salle

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Head coaches: Nate Klitzing (CL), Marcus Schroeder (DLS)

2023-24 records (as of Jan. 12): Crean Lutheran (10-8), De La Salle (15-3)

Points per game (allowed): CL 66.4 (57.0); DLS 67.1 (49.5)

Terrific trios: CL — Kaiden Bailey, Jacob Majok, Braeden Davidson; DLS — Alec Blair, Leo Ricketts, Arshawn Salkhi

Live streak: vimeo link, NFHS Network link

Briefly: First-time meeting between Southern California and NorCal rivals. Bailey is averaging nearly 25 points per game and is one of three sophomores in the rotation, giving Klitzing hope for a very bright future. He scheduled a tough preseason but with wins over Curtis (Wash.) and Pacifica Christian, the Saints, out of Irvine (Orange County), already look formidable. Especially after entering the game with an 89-39 route of Valencia, behind 40 points from Bailey. ... After back-to-back 22-win seasons under Schroeder, fthe Spartans flew out of the gate with 10 straight wins to start 2023-24, including 62-51 over 2022 state Open Division champion Corona Centennial. Blair, a long 6-6 wing, along with a pair of 6-6 transfers, David Balogun and Braddock Kjellesvig, give the Spartans a formidable front line. But Ricketts and Monawar supply plenty of guard skills. Plus they’re the only team in showcase that gives up less than 50 points per game. De La Salle lost a couple of tough games at Damien before two more impressive nonleague wins over American Fork (69-68) and Granite Bay (62-34). Then at Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers and Clippers, they dropped a tough 74-70 double-OT game to defending state D1 champion and still unbeaten Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (19-0). The Spartans opened league play with solid wins over Monte Vista (65-54) and Amador Valley (70-39). Blair combined for 42 points in the two league wins. 

Alec Blair going up in the 2023 CIF NCS Open Division championship playoff game against Dougherty Valley at St. Mary's College / Photo: Greg Jungferman

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

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

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

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