2025 INAUGURAL NEW YEAR’S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SHOWCASE

INAUGURAL NEW YEAR’S WINTER BASKETBALL SHOWCASE AT CIVIC ARENA 

WINTER SHOWCASE – JANUARY 3-4, 2025 – CIVIC ARENA

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 18, 2024

Brett Esely Contact: 816-233-6688, besely@stjomo.com

In the continuing effort of creating quality game day experiences for our area student-athletes and coaches, the St. Joseph Sports Commission is excited to announce the field and matchups  for the Inaugural New Year’s Winter High School Basketball Showcase January 3-4, 2025 at Civic Arena.

With the positive experience and interest level teams have enjoyed from the Holiday Hoops event, brought motivation for the creation of the Inaugural St. Joseph Sports Commission Winter Basketball Showcase January 3-4, 2025.  The Winter Showcase features boys and girls games featuring three local high schools playing in a two game classic format against teams regionally and statewide along with other single game match-ups of interest.

“In the spirit of fit, niche and game day environment, teams that have participated in Holiday Hoops in our first two years have been treated to a quality experience in a big-time arena style atmosphere.  This event, which continues to grow spurred the creation of our Winter Showcase just after the New Year which has been built as a two-game classic format that we hope to do exclusively in that model in the coming years,” stated Brett Esely, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission.

The inaugural showcase features 14 games taht will be contested over two days as the Friday slate opens with LeBlond taking on Lafayette County, Benton plays Ewing Kauffman Academy from the Kansas City area with the Central girls playing West Plains from southern Missouri and the boys taking on Hogan Prep.  Day two opens with North Platte facing off against East Atchison followed by LeBlond and Lathrop (Lathrop girls advanced to the Class 3 State Quarterfinals a season ago). Central takes on Kauffman Academcy in the penultimate doubleheader with the Benton girls playing West Plains and the Cardinal boys taking on Class 4 Final Four participant KC Central in the nightcap.

“Scheduling is extremely difficult, a lot of dots to connect.  But we are extremely proud of this quality field we have put together for both of these marquee events and are thankful to all involved for having interest in making it work,” Esely said.

Ticket information will be released in late fall in which all sales will be facilitated online and through the Civic Arena Box Office.  Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available by contacting the sports commission.

The St. Joseph, Missouri Sports Commission is an umbrella arm of the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.

2025 ST. JOSEPH SPORTS COMMISSION HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL WINTER SHOWCASE

Friday, January 3:

12:30 PM – LeBlond vs. Lafayette County (G)

2:00 PM – LeBlond vs. Lafayette County (B)

3:30 PM – Benton vs. Ewing Kauffman Academy (G)

5:00 PM – Benton vs. Ewing Kauffman Academy (B)

6:30 PM – Central vs. West Plains (G)

8:00 PM – Central vs. Hogan Prep (B)

Saturday, January 4:

10:00 AM – North Platte vs. East Atchison (G)

11:30 AM – North Platte vs. East Atchison (B)

1:00 PM – LeBlond vs. Lathrop (G)

2:30 PM – LeBlond vs. Lathrop (B)

4:00 PM – Central vs. Ewing Kauffman Academy (G)

5:30 PM – Central vs. Ewing Kauffman Academy (B)

7:00 PM – Benton vs. West Plains (G)

8:30 PM – Benton vs. KC Central (B)