Sixty-four club teams and some of the nation's top high school basketball players will converge this weekend at the University of Maryland, site of the Charlie Weber Adidas Invitational.

Charlie Weber, who directs his namesake, cited the Team Carolina Sonics, Atlanta Celtics and Georgia Stars as the favorites in the eighth annual tournament.

"I don't know of a college coach who wouldn't take the starting five from Team Carolina," said Weber.

That club includes Jason Parker, a highly-rated power forward from Charlotte. The Atlanta Celtics have someone his equal in Donnell Harvey, and the Georgia Stars are hopeful that their roster will include Damien Wilkins, the well-traveled forward who spent last year at Prospect Hall in Frederick, but is now attending high school in Orlando, Fla.

The chances of D.C. Assault were lessened when De Matha guard Keith Bogans scheduled a recruiting visit to Kentucky.

Maryland fans can watch point guard Steve Blake, who committed to the Terps last spring, play for the Giving Back Foundation. Blake and four other players were ruled ineligible to play for Miami (Fla.) Senior High because of recruiting violations, and he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Tournement games will be played at Cole and several other on-campus sites. Admission is $5 per day.

Pub Date: 9/18/98