Wheeling unveils 40th Hardwood Classic bracket

Wheeling has released the brackets for its upcoming boys basketball tournament - and it looks like a truly special one.

The 40th edition of the Hardwood Classic features defending champion Fremd (7-1) along with the co-leaders from the Mid-Suburban East (Prospect and Buffalo Grove).

A strong St. Viator squad has rejoined the field, and first-terrific programs from Geneva and Grayslake Central will take part at Wheeling for the first time.

The tourney begins on Wednesday, Dec. 27 and concludes on Saturday, Dec. 30.

The top half of the bracket in first-round play will be Niles North vs. Vernon Hills (9 a.m.), Buffalo Grove vs. Dundee-Crown (10:30 a.m.), Prospect vs. Maine West (12:15 p.m.) and Geneva vs. Notre Dame (2 p.m.).

The bottom half will be St. Viator vs. Glenbrook South (3:45 p.m.), Waukegan vs. Deerfield (5:30 p.m.), Wheeling vs. Fremd (7:15 p.m.) and Libertyville vs. Grayslake Central (8:45 p.m.)

On the final day of the Hardwood Classic, the consolation championship game will be contested at 5:30 p.m., followed by the third-place game at 7:15 and the championship matchup at 8:45 p.m.