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The Huntington Prep Express Show Hits Canada

Published by Ali Ahmed on February 16, 2012

The Huntington Prep Express (23-2) are scheduled to make two stops in Toronto this weekend as the high powered prep program looks to showcase its renowned talent against Next Level Prep (Oakville, ON) and MacNab Prep (Hamilton, ON). Huntington Prep located in Huntington,WV currently has 5 Toronto natives and is looking forward to soaking up some Canadian competition after having success against the elite prep schools in the states.

Huntington Prep currently dresses 7 Canadians including; Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Andrew Wiggins, Tanveer Bhullar, Stefan Jankovic (Signed to Missouri), Negus Webster-Chan (Signed to Missouri) Nevell Provo and Manroop Clair. The players are ecstatic about their homecoming this weekend and are prepared to put on a show for family and friends in attendance, including Rathan-Mayes.

“It’s always special to be able to come home and play in front of your family, friends, and the home crowd. It doesn’t happen too often so when we get the chance we take full advantage of it. I can’t really say too much about what H-Prep is about but trust me after we leave you can bet that every single person will know about is, it’s going to be a show.”

Rathan-Mayes also noted that for most of the team it is a great experience making the journey back to where all their aspirations began as youth.

“Also just looking forward to having a good time playing back home where most of us grew up playing this weekend is really a blessing and something special for to really come back to where it all started!”

The mantra surrounding the games this weekend is simply learning and experiencing a well-oiled Huntington Prep team which has had success year after year. Head Coach Dwayne Washington of MacNab Prep agreed saying,

“Who wouldn’t want to play a top team especially with having a young talented group with aspirations to one day be the best. The only way you can truly measure yourself is against the best. Without that experience you will never know what it will take. This is simply a learning experience that we embrace fully. Remember – the hottest fire produces the strongest steel.”

Coach Washington saw this as a golden opportunity to reconnect with a longtime friend and also give his team a chance to experience the elite level of play.

“I have known Rob for a long time. We have a great relationship. When I heard he wanted to come to Canada to play, it was a no brainer. Everything fell into place.”

As former Falcons Head Coach at Mountain State Academy, Rob Fulford joined Huntington Prep prior to the 2009 season and has led the Huntington Prep Express up the rankings ever since. He was very eager to have his team travel to Canada to take part in the exhibition weekend.

“There’s no secret that we love Canada here in Huntington. This trip gives our Canadian kids a chance to come home and play in front of friends and family. We are looking forward to letting our guys come home again and spend some time with family, but they also know where are here to take care of business. They are very excited for the weekend. It will also allow some of the younger local players to come see what Huntington Prep is all about.”

Huntington Prep will tip-off against Next Level Prep at the University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus on Friday February 17, 2012 at 6 PM, followed by a 5 pm tip-off against MacNab Prep on Saturday February 18, 2012 at MacNab S.S located in Hamilton, Ontario.

Note: Huntington Prep defeated Next Level Prep 81-48 in their first meeting earlier this season. MacNab Prep is currently 17-9 on the season.

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