The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic tips off Friday night at Hillsboro High School. The two-day event features nine games, with three on Friday night and six on Saturday. Local fans will have plenty of reasons to show up.
On Friday night the local teams take center stage as Hillsboro and Wilmington renew an old rivalry at 7:30 while McClain and East Clinton tangle at 9:00. The event tips at 6:00 when Lakota East, coached by former Wilmington standout Clint Adkins, takes on five-time state champion Dayton Dunbar.
If you want to see future Division I college players, then Saturday is your day. Four players have signed to play at major Division I programs next season. Xenia’s Samari Curtis will play at UC. Walton Verona’s Dieonte Miles will play for Xavier. Their teams meet at high noon on Saturday. Moeller’s Miles “Duece” McBride will play for Bob Huggins at West Virginia. Sidney’s Andre Gordon will be a Virginia Tech Hokie. Several underclassmen have major offers, led by Walnut Ridge’s Von Cameron Davis. Blanchester’s Braydon Sipple and Beechwood’s Scotty Draud are two sophomores on the recruiting radar of college coaches.
Top level Division I teams will also be on display. Moeller is the defending state champion in Ohio, and will be a contender again this year. Lakota East and Mason are perennial high- level teams in Southwest Ohio. Lexington Bryan Station has produced numerous NBA players. Campbell County has played in three of the past six Kentucky State Tournaments.
And, fans will have an opportunity to win prizes in our halftime promotion. On Friday night, four lucky fans will have a chance to walk away with a brand new Ford Escape from Beford Ford Lincoln of Washington Court House. At halftime of every game several fans will have an opportunity to shoot for prizes provided by local businesses who are sponsoring the event.
The first two games on Saturday are ‘youth basketball’ day at the event. Any youth basketball player, boy or girl, up through 8th grade will be admitted free if they wear their jersey and are accompanied by a paying adult as long as they arrive before the end of the second game. “We wanted the local kids to be able to see some Division I talent, as well as the defending state champion team. Many of them haven’t had that opportunity,” said Bennie Carroll, event organizer.
Tickets for the event are $10 available at the door. Ticket is good for entire day each day.
Carroll also took the time to thank all the sponsors of the event and said, “We could not bring this event to Hillsboro without the help of our sponsors. I urge all the fans to support them whenever possible.”
Complete list of sponsors: Slam Dunk Level: Sherwood Auto and Campers, Beford Ford Lincoln, Southern State Community College, JK Precast. Three-Point Level: Big Ernie’s Pizza, LaRosa’s Pizzeria, G & J Pepsi, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Wright State University, Highland District Hospital, CMH Regional Health Systems, Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church. Two-point level: Chad Abbott Signs, The Highland County Press, The Times Gazette, Five Points Implement, KFC, Quali-Tee Design Sportswear, Southern Hills Community Bank, H & R Block, Lowe’s, Hobart, Ponderosa Steakhouse, 24 Deli, Family Farm and Home, Roger Williams Auto. Layup Level; Snow Hill Country Club, Save a Lot, Community Markets, Harsha Monument Company, Kibler Lumber, ATSG, the Union Stock Yards, Merchant’s National Bank, The Laurels of Hillsboro, NCB, Alley 21, Carrie Zeigler-State Farm Insurance, BDK Lumber
Complete details of the event are available at: www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com
Submitted by the organizers of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic.
