Nov. 14, 2007

Springfield, MA - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the Spalding Hoophall Classic will be held at Springfield College's Blake Arena over Martin Luther King weekend, January 18 - 21, 2008. The four day event will feature nine preseason top 25 teams and many of the nation's top 100 players. The event also includes the China Junior All-Star Team featuring many players with a future in the China University Basketball Association (CUBA) and the CBA (China's professional league).

Nationally ranked boys teams scheduled to play are #1 Oak Hill Academy (VA), #2 St. Anthony (NJ), #5 St. Benedict's (NJ), #7 Montverde Academy (FL), #10 Abraham Lincoln High School (NY), #14 Archbishop Mitty (CA), #18 Chester High School (PA), #20 Mount Saint Joseph's High School (MD). Other national teams scheduled to play include DeMatha Catholic High School (MD), St. Raymond High School (NY), Scott County High School (KY), Taft High School (CA). Girls teams scheduled include Norwich Free Academy (CT), Granby High School (MA), Christ the King High School (NY), Ursuline Academy (DE), Minnechaug High School (MA), New Leadership Charter School (MA), Longmeadow High School (MA) and Springfield Central High School (MA).

Three games from the Spalding Hoophall Classic will be televised nationally Monday, January 21st beginning at 11 AM. Match ups include Holy Cross High School (NY) vs. #14 Archbishop Mitty High School CA), St. Raymond High School (NY) vs. Taft High School (CA), and #2 St. Anthony High School (NJ) vs. Scott County High School (KY).

Teams from around New England include Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH) , St. Thomas More (Oakdale, CT), Madison Park (Roxbury, MA), and Norwich Free Academy (Norwich, CT) will participate in addition to Western Mass favorites Minnechaug, Longmeadow, Cathedral , Central, Commerce, Holyoke, South Hadley, Sabis, and New Leadership.

Some of the top players in the Spalding Hoophall Classic include #1 Ranked Senior and Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings (Oak Hill), #1 ranked Junior Lance Stephenson (Lincoln), #1 Ranked Sophomore Brandon Knight (Pine Crest), #1 ranked Senior and University of Connecticut recruit, Elena Delle Donne (Ursuline), and NBA Draft eligible and potential lottery pick John Riek (Winchendon). Additionally players scheduled to participate will attend UCLA, North Carolina, Arizona, Ohio State, Georgetown, Michigan State, USC, Duke and Louisville among others.

Tickets are on sale and will be available by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm at (413)781-6500. Tickets for the High School Invitational (Friday, Saturday & Monday) are $10 adult and $8 students. Tickets for Sunday are $12 adult and $10 students. Big Y World Class Market once again offers a $2 discount by calling the Hall of Fame in advance, or by showing a Big Y Express Savings Club Card at the door.

The 2008 Spalding Hoophall Classic event schedule:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 20087