By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Thursday marks the launch of an ambitious project. But one that certainly appears to, on paper, have all the makings of a successful one.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic Basketball tournament kicks off at 4 p.m. that day with a clash between defending Class 4A state champion Peabody and Rummel. From there, many of the state’s – and nation’s – best teams will compete to crown a victor among 16 competitors.

Riverside coach Timmy Byrd is one of the men behind bringing this event to life and he says he and the Sugar Bowl committee have high expectations.

“The Sugar Bowl people are committed and hope to make this the number one tournament in the country,” said Byrd.

Byrd said that the idea came from ABC Sports Director Ed Daniels. He presented Byrd with the idea of a national tournament, which would be the first of its kind in the New Orleans area.

“He wanted to see if I could help bring in some of the best teams in the country,” said Byrd.

The tournament brain trust indeed as put together a stacked field. Among competitors are:

•Three Louisiana State champions in Riverside (2A), Peabody (4A) and Brother Martin (5A).

•Imhotep Charter, which Byrd believes to be the best team in Pennsylvania.

•Westchester (CA), a perennial top five ranked national power.

•Dallas, Kimball, the top ranked Class 4A team in Texas and a squad that boasts five high-major recruits.

•Nova (FL), Florida’s top ranked team in Class 3A.

•Top local squads like Ehret, McDonogh No. 35, Salmen, Rummel, Country Day, St. Thomas Aquinas and East St. John.

“We wanted a diverse geographic field, but we also wanted to involve as many strong local schools as possible,” said Byrd. “When a team playing as well as East St. John has been is seeded 16th, it gives you an idea of the caliber of competition in this tournament.”

Those 16th seeded Wildcats will play the tournament’s top seed on Thursday, Westchester of Los Angeles. That game will take place at Country Day. The Rebels, meanwhile, open Thursday against McDonogh No. 35. That game is slated for the Pontchartrain Center at 7 p.m.

“I feel good about this team and our prospects,” said Byrd. “We’re playing really, really well.”