By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Sports Commission announced the matchups for the Second Annual St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame High School Holiday Hoops Classic, which is slated December 20-22 at Civic Arena.
The event features all eight Buchanan County high schools along with other local teams competing in a boys/girls doubleheader, classic style format just before Christmas.
This year's event will also be the start of a long-term title sponsorship with United Fiber, a new foundation partner of the St. Joseph Sports Commission.
“This event was very well received last year in which our goal will always be to include our county high schools along with other schools within close proximity as much as possible to put together a great experience for our student-athletes and coaches in a venue that continues to transform into a regional sports hub in the heart of our downtown which fans can conveniently attend,” said St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely in a written statement.
“We are grateful to United Fiber for their outstanding partnership and commitment not only to Holiday Hoops but the commissions’ rapidly growing event profile. Their support not only is an investment into our community but helps enhance Holiday Hoops as well as our growing event profile in creating and maintaining a first-class event experience for all involved.”
This year’s event has expanded to three days and features 14 total games.
Day one tips off with two schools making their Holiday Hoops debut, as Mid-Buchanan faces Savannah, followed by a city rivalry, pitting Central against Lafayette.
Day two opens with a boys/girls doubleheader between North Platte and East Atchison and concludes with Benton taking on Battle High School from Columbia.
The third and final day features three doubleheaders with East Buchanan vs. Maysville, St. Joseph Christian vs. Dekalb and Bishop LeBlond facing North Andrew.
Ticket information will be released in late fall. All sales will be facilitated through the Civic Arena Box Office. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available by contacting the sports commission.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, December 20
3:30 PM – Mid-Buchanan vs. Savannah (Girls)
5:00 PM – Mid-Buchanan vs. Savannah (Boys)
6:30 PM – Central vs. Lafayette (Girls)
8:00 PM – Central vs. Lafayette (Boys)
Thursday, December 21
3:30 PM – North Platte vs. East Atchison (Girls)
5:00 PM – North Platte vs. East Atchison (Boys)
6:30 PM – Benton vs. Columbia Battle (Girls)
8:00 PM – Benton vs. Columbia Battle (Boys)
Friday, December 22
12:30 PM – East Buchanan vs. Maysville (Girls)
2:00 PM – East Buchanan vs. Maysville (Boys)
3:30 PM – St. Joseph Christian vs. Dekalb (Girls)
5:00 PM – St. Joseph Christian vs. Dekalb (Boys)
6:30 PM – LeBlond vs. North Andrew (Girls)
8:00 PM – LeBlond vs. North Andrew (Boys)
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.