Annual Hoops Classic Draws 48 Teams to Campus

Forty-eight teams from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will be visiting Southwestern next week for the annual Hoops Classic.

Adventist academies and high schools from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico will take part next week in the 21^st Annual Hoops Classic hosted by Southwestern Adventist University. This year’s competition includes 48 teams, including a team from Puerto Rico. The Hoops Classic is an annual invitational basketball tournament where high schools compete, learn, and socialize with each other. The Hoops Classic begins Wednesday, Jan. 27 and ends with its championship game late Saturday night, Jan. 30. The tournament will be divided into men’s and women’s divisions.

The games for the Hoops Classic will be played in six different locations including Leiske-Pultar Activity Center (SWAU Gym), Burleson Recreation Center, Chisholm Trail Academy (CTA), Keene High School (KHS), Keene Junior High School (KJHS), and Keene Elementary School (KES).

The Hoops Classic is also an opportunity for high school teams to “share in the Southwestern Adventist University Experience,” according to James The, vice president of student services. “This event is an opportunity for us to showcase Southwestern, its campus, student ambassadors, and wonderful students and staff,” he says.

Each team will be led by a Southwestern ambassador, who will provide visiting student athletes with a tour of the University and answer any questions they might have about Southwestern.

For students who have participated as players in this tournament in the past years, it has been an “unforgettable experience,” as one student put it. “It was so chaotic in a good way and a lot of fun,” says Sarah Mizher, a former participant and currently a freshman at Southwestern. “I also liked how I got to reunite with old friends and make new ones as well.”

Several clubs and departments from Southwestern will sell food and refreshments as fund-raisers during the games. The missions club will be selling Susan Grady’s famous vegeburgers. The women’s residence hall will have beverages and snack items, such as candy bars and chips. The athletics department will offer nachos for sale and the office of student services will be selling SWAU t-shirts and hoodies.

The daily admission pass is $3 for students and children and $5 for adults. The four-day pass is $10 for students and children and $15 for adults. Most outstanding player, coach’s award, and spirit award will be given to players and coaches who exemplified excellence on and off the court with their play and conduct during the closing ceremony.

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