HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Most Valuable Players

 The Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic announced that its Tournament  Most Valuable Player Award will be named after the HCHC career scoring leader  Justin Hardy.  Hardy passed away at age 22 from stage four stomach cancer.  Even after his diagnosis, he continued to play college basketball at Washington University and worked toward a double-major in accounting and finance while undergoing treatments.  Despite a grim prognosis, Hardy averaged 11 points per game and provided a story of perseverance that inspired people across the country.  Hardy set the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic career scoring record, which still stands today, with 233 points in 12 games from 2015 to 2017.

Vince Buzelis, Hinsdale Central

2024 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Helped lead the Red Devils to their second Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic title in the past three years.  Led the tournament champs in scoring (21.0 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg) and assists (4.1 apg).  Scored 40 points in Hinsdale's win in the semifinals.


 

Jaylen McElroy, DePaul Prep

2023 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Led the Rams in both scoring (14.5 points per game) and rebounding (8.5 boards per contest), as DePaul Prep captured its first Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship.  Also recorded nine blocks in the tournament.  Played for St. Leo University.


 

Ben Oosterbaan, Hinsdale Central

2022 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Led tournament in scoring (21.3 points per game), as Red Devils captured their first championship on their home court.  Ended his Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic career as the event's eighth all-time leading scorer.  Played with the University of Saint Thomas at Minnesota.


 

Christian Meeks, Homewood-Flossmoor

2021 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 20.3 points and 8.0 rebounds for the tournament champions.  Recorded back-to-back 29 points scoring games in the first two rounds of the 2021 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.  Played collegiately with the University of Missouri at Saint Louis.

RJ Ogom, Homewood-Flossmoor

2019 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 17.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, while shooting 58.7% from the floor, leading the Vikings to their first Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic title.  Played at Purdue University at Fort Wayne.


 

  
Ahron Ulis, Marian Catholic

2018 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior for the Holiday Classic champions.  Fourth leading scorer in Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic history, scoring 181 points in a four-year varsity career.  Made 27 starts for  the University of Iowa during the 2022-2023 season, averaging  6.1 points per game for the Hawkeyes.
   

 

Jordan Matthews, Saint Rita

2017 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 10.0 points per game for the  tournament champions, while leading the Mustangs in scoring and assists.    Played collegiately for Loras College and Concordia University Chicago.  Averaged 17.4 points per game for the Concordia Cougars during the 2022-2023 campaign.

 

Nana Akenten, Bolingbrook

2016 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 14.5 points and 7.8 rebounds for tournament champion Raiders.  Scored 23 points in HCHC title game.  Played 104 minutes during the Holiday Classic and never committed a turnover.  Played collegiately at University of Nebraska and Southeast Missouri State.


 

De'Anthony Melton, Crespi Carmelite

2015 HCHC Most Valuable Player.  Averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds for tournament champions.  Played at University of Southern California;  Drafted by Houston Rockets 2018.  Played in NBA with Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies,  Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors.  Made 58 starts for 76ers during 2022-2023 season.  Averaged over 10 points per game in both 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons.