Wendell McClain has been a top defensive player for the Blue Devils.

TIFTON — Starting Friday, the annual McDonald’s Invitational returns to Tift County High School for two days of basketball. Thirteen schools, including the local Tift County Blue Devils, will be participating.

The lineup is loaded with outstanding teams.

“We have a who’s who,” said Tift County head coach Xavier Holmes.

Holmes likes the schedule so much, he wishes he had more late slots so the teams could play during primetime.

Holmes said the invitational was “fortunate to get some local teams.” The lineup was nearly even between Georgia and Florida teams last year, but the lineup is more solidly tilted towards Georgia this time around and two of the four Florida teams are nearly local, hailing from Tallahassee.

Below are synopses of everyone involved.

Tift County enters at 3-8. The young Blue Devils continue to rebuild, adding their third win of the season over Ben C. Rain (Ala.) in Florida last Friday. Jatarion Warren has been the team’s leading scorer, with scoring support coming from Jyamier Beckhom, Azaria Smith and Tyler Parker.

Americus-Sumter (10-0) is coached by Tifton native Johnny Genwright. “Extremely talented,” said Holmes. “We’re going to have our hands full.” The Panthers have swept Dougherty and Lee County. Through eight games, the leading scorer was guard Trae Brown, who averages 18 points per game.

Brunswick (8-5) travels to Tifton often enough for the Friendly City to be a second home. Already a regular at the McDonald’s Invitational, the Pirates played Tift County here only 11 days ago. Chris Turner’s team has beaten Camden County, Thomasville and Beach. Jaden Dunham scored 16 points in the previous Tift game. Xavier Bean added 10.

Coffee (8-0) kept its record perfect Saturday with a 60-53 win over Fitzgerald. The Trojans have also beaten Lowndes twice. Through four games, Antonio Reynolds was averaging 16.5 points per game. A.J. Wilkerson scored 11 against Tift in a game this month. At one point last season, Coffee was considered the No. 1 Class AAAAAA team in the state.

Denmark (10-3) hails from Alpharetta. It’s one of the state’s newer high schools, having opened in 2018. The Danes have good size in 6’6” Adonnis Tolbert. Wins include Buford (68-49) and Maynard Jackson. They dropped their most recent game to South Forsyth.

Lanier County (11-1) makes its first appearance at the McDonald’s Invitational. The Class A Bulldogs are one of two teams from Lakeland, albeit the only one from the north side of the state line. Head coach Ty Randolph has a tall lineup that has lost only to Wilcox County. Through 11 games, E.J. Brown was the leading scorer, with an average of 16.7 points per game.

Morgan County (1-8) is in a similar boat as Tift, rebuilding after a string of success. The Bulldogs notched three state championships in Class AAA since 2014, including last year’s. They have also been runner-up twice in the same period. Morgan defeated East Jackson for their lone win.

St. Anne-Pacelli (6-3) returns to McDonald’s after facing Tiftarea at the event last year. The Columbus-based Vikings are coached by Corry Black. “Pacelli is playing pretty well,” Holmes said. Through seven games Travis Harper was posting 20.3 points per game and Ian Mathews was at 16.4.

Valwood (1-4) also makes its appearance at the Tift County gym. The Valiants, off to a late start because of football, defeated Southwest Georgia Academy 76-70 last Thursday for victory No. 1. Allen Harris was the leading scorer last season, with Blaine Cooper close behind. Demonte Taylor and Nate Williams each scored 20 against SGA.

Kathleen (7-3) has a 54-46 win over fellow McDonald’s team, Victory Christian. The Red Devils have lost to Bartow, a team that has appeared here in the past. Through five games, leading scorers were Orien Adams at 16 points per game and Kjei Parker at 13.4.

Lincoln (9-1) is one of two Tallahassee schools here and the one with the best defense. They won over Tift earlier in the season. Four of their opponents have been held to 28 points or less. David Gainous and Zae Wiggins are the leading scorers. Lincoln lost to Georgia powerhouse Miller Grove last week.

Rickards (6-1) is the other Tallahassee squad and one Holmes called “a quality opponent.” The Raiders have dropped only to Memphis East (Tenn.). A’Derlin Robinson averaged 13.8 points and Ke’Varrius Taylor was at 13.6 through five games.

Victory Christian (3-3) is from Lakeland, Fla. The Storm went 20-8 last year, advancing to their regional final. Only one senior is listed on the roster. In wins, Victory is averaging 75 points per game.

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

FRIDAY

1 p.m. Morgan County vs. Rickards

2:30 p.m. Coffee vs. Kathleen

4 p.m. Brunswick vs. Lincoln

5:30 p.m. Denmark vs. Victory Christian

7 p.m. Valwood vs. St. Anne-Pacelli

8:30 p.m. Tift County vs. Americus-Sumter

SATURDAY

1 p.m. Morgan County vs. Lincoln

2:30 p.m. Brunswick vs. Victory Christian

4 p.m. Denmark vs. Lanier County

5:30 p.m. Coffee vs. Rickards

7 p.m. Tift County vs. Kathleen