2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame High School Holiday Hoops Classic
December 20 @ 3:30 pm - 10:00 pm
SCHEDULE SET FOR 2ND ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY HOOPS CLASSIC
PRESENTED BY UNITED FIBER
DECEMBER 20-22, 2023 – CIVIC ARENA
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Brett Esely Contact: 816-233-6688, besely@stjomo.com
With the growing regional basketball footprint in our area, the St. Joseph Sports Commission is excited to announce the field and matchups for the 2nd Annual St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Holiday Hoops Classic which will take place December 20-22 at Civic Arena. The event which is hosted and operated by the commission features all eight county high schools along with other area teams of interest competing in a boys/girls doubleheader classic style format just before the Christmas holiday.
This years event also signifies the beginning of a long term title sponsorship of Holiday Hoops with United Fiber, a new foundation partner of the 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!” St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely stated.
United Fiber, a local fiber-optic network based in Savannah, Missouri has rapidly increased their presence in the St. Joseph and surrounding community. They provide ultra-high-speed broadband service and great hometown service to their customers and electric members. Their fiber-optic network produces unparalleled quality and much faster speeds than cable, satellite, or DSL.
“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.” Esely stated.
This year’s event has expanded to three days and features 14 high level games with match-ups that will bring interest from many demographics. Day one tips off with two schools making their Holiday Hoops debut as Mid-Buchanan takes on Savannah which will be followed by a city rivalry rematch pitting Central vs. Lafayette. Day two also features a rematch with the opening doubleheader featuring North Platte vs. East Atchison concluding with an intriguing night cap as Benton takes on Battle High School from Columbia, Missouri. The closing day features three doubleheaders beginning with East Buchanan vs. Maysville, followed by St. Joseph Christian vs. Dekalb, with LeBlond facing off against North Andrew in the nightcap.
Holiday Hoops also enhances the profile and awareness of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame of which the 2023 induction class will be announced on May 17.
Ticket information will be released in late fall in which 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)
The St. Joseph Sports Commission is a division of the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.