Jonathan Kuminga, Patrick School to face rival Roselle Catholic in Kyrie Irving Invitational

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Jonathan Kuminga has already met Kyrie Irving.

Now he will headline his event.

The 6-foot-8 Kuminga is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2021 and he and his Patrick School teammates will face rival New Jersey rival Roselle Catholic in the Kyrie Irving Invitational on Dec. 23 at Barclays Center.

Irving, now in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, attended St. Patrick High School, the forerunner to The Patrick School, and now hosts an annual high school event on the Nets home court.

“The opportunity to in the Kyrie Invitational again this year a truly an honor for us and something we are very excited about,” RC coach Dave Boff said. “Playing the Patrick School in the event will add even more excitement and give both programs an opportunity to compete on a great stage, in an amazing venue. Truly an unforgettable experience for our teams and something very few programs get to experience. “

Here’s my interview with @JonathanKuming6 of @tps_hsbb via @freshfocusports with some highlights. @KentuckyMBB @DukeMBB and @AuburnMBB among those involved for the No. 1 player in 2021 https://t.co/1RzGWWgxTp… https://t.co/8NEIsKxfdm

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 14, 2019

“Anytime we play RC, it’s special,” Patrick School coach Chris Chavannes said. “Playing them 2-4 times per year is a tough task that both programs look forward to. Playing our rivals at the Barclays just adds to the excitement.

“Both programs will be among the top teams in New Jersey. Because of the venue both teams will be hyped to play. Last year they swept us. The object this year is to reverse that trend. In 2017, we swept them four times. Neither side likes being on that end of those losses. It will be fun as it always has been.”

The two teams played a Fall League game on Oct. 13 in Elizabeth, N.J. before a capacity crowd.

Kuminga, who is being pursued by Duke, Kentucky, Auburn and LSU, among others, went for 19 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds and 6-10 junior Adama Sanogo was dominant down low with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the “Hillside Celtics” beat “Roselle” 68-57.

Asked if he wanted to send the Lions a message for potential future matchups at the Kyre Invitational and in the Union County and state tournaments, Kuminga said, “Not to be disrespectful, but we’re just going to keep beating them. They’re not going to beat us. We’re just going to keep working to beat them. That’s our biggest competition in Jersey, so we’re just going to keep working on that one.”

PATRICK SCHOOL TO FACE BRONNY JAMES, SIERRA CANYON

Other highlights of The Patrick School schedule:

**The Celtics will participate in the John Wall Holiday Invitational Dec. 26-28. Montverde, featuring Cade Cunningham and coached by former St. Pat’s coach Kevin Boyle, is also in event.

**Kuminga and the Celtics will also face Bronny James, Zaire Wade, B.J. Boston and Sierra Canyon (CA) on Jan. 3 in an ESPN game in Minnesota. Sierra Canyon will also come East to play Ohio State commit Zed Key, uncommitted point guard Andre Curbelo and Long Island Lutheran on Feb. 8 in Toms River, N.J. as part of the Metro Classic.

**The Celtics face Huntington Prep (WV) on Feb. 7 at the Metro Classic and New Jersey rival Wildwood Catholic there on Feb. 8.

**The Celtics meet IMG Academy (FL) on Jan. 18 at the Hoophall Classic (MA). That will pit point guard Noah Farrakhan against his former school.

**Kuminga and Co. will face Kentucky-bound Lance Ware, Juanny Wagner and Camden on Jan. 25 at East Orange Campus.

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