Sarasota High boys basketball will return to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers for the second consecutive year, the team confirmed at the tournament's press conference Monday.

The Sailors open the 53rd annual tournament against La Lumiere of Indiana on Dec. 19 at 12:15 p.m. at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the Florida SouthWestern State College campus. The tournament runs Dec. 18-23.

The invitation caps a rapid rise under head coach B.J. Ivey, who has compiled a 98-19 record in four seasons. Sarasota reached the Class 7A state championship game for the first time in the 104-year history of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) in March, falling 53-50 to Miami Columbus, which claimed its fifth straight state title.

Lackaff Reflects on Last Year's Experience

Senior guard Johnny Lackaff, who committed to Illinois State in September, said the 2025 City of Palms experience helped prepare the team for that postseason run.

"We're grateful being back," Lackaff said at the press conference. "It's just going to help us this year and moving forward for March."

Lackaff averaged 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season despite missing nine games early in the year. He scored 27 points with five 3-pointers in the state championship game.

Sailors Learned Lessons From Last Year's Bracket

In last year's City of Palms, Sarasota lost its opener to Archbishop Stepinac 89-62 and dropped a close game to Imhotep of Pennsylvania before beating Garfield Heights of Ohio 67-47 on the final day. Junior Greg Dauer said that opening loss exposed weaknesses that made the Sailors stronger later in the season.

Returning Players Boost Sarasota's Roster

Sarasota returns several key contributors alongside Lackaff. Senior Isaiah Jenkins, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Dauer put up 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Liam Lackaff, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, added 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Field Features Elite National Talent

The 2026 field features nine Florida teams in the traditional bracket, the most since 1989, according to the Fort Myers News-Press. Tournament director Donnie Wilkie called it potentially "the best overall field in the event's history," noting the bracket includes 11 of ESPN's top-16 ranked seniors. Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Calvary Christian and Miami Columbus are among the other programs competing.

Since 1989, the City of Palms Classic has featured 231 McDonald's All-Americans and 148 NBA first-round picks, the Herald-Tribune reported.

Sarasota's 2026-27 regular-season schedule has not yet been released.