A pair of Clinton County schools along with several of the top players in Ohio will be competing in the fourth annual Ohio Valley Hoops Classic at Southern State Community College Dec. 1-2.
Wilmington will meet Campbell Co. (Ky.) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 while East Clinton will face Fairfield Local 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
In all there will be three games on Dec. 1 and eight games on Dec. 2.
Four teams in this year’s event made their respective state’s Final Four – Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, Columbus Eastmoor Academy and Proctorville Fairland in Ohio and Cooper High School in Kentucky.
Several players in this year’s event hold Div. I scholarship offers. The top player in this season’s Ohio Valley Hoops Classic is Darius Bazley, a 6-8 senior from Cincinnati Princeton High School. He is rated No. 9 in the nation by ESPN.
Moeller’s Jaxson Hayes, a 6-9 senior, has scholarship offers from the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University and Xavier University, among others.
This year’s event also features a halftime shootout in which a fan during each game will have a chance to win prizes. The contestant can win $10,000, a new Ford Escape from Bill Marine Ford of Wilmington, a new jeep from Doug Marine Motors of Washington Court House; a new camper from Sherwood Auto and Camper Sales, or a John Deere Zero Turn 60-inch cut mower from Five Points Implement.
“It is because of the advertising sponsors that we can present an event like this,” said event organizer Bennie Carroll. “When we started this thing four years ago, the number one priority was to make it special for the players, coaches and fans. We can only do that with the help of some great sponsors.”
R+L Carriers, the Premier Sponsor for the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic, will have their Hometown Showcase Hauler on the Southern State campus for fans, players and coaches to tour. In addition to learning about career and shipping opportunities, visitors will have a chance to win promotional items as well as keep up with College Game Day on one of the 11 TV screens. The Hometown Showcase travels to high schools and colleges across the country delivering career and scholarship opportunities to students. Visit the website hometown.rlcarriers.com to bring the Hometown Showcase to your school or function.
Big Ernie’s Pizza, a Presenting Sponsor for the OVHC, is providing pizza for participating players and coaches, while Bible Baptist Church is providing deserts for the teams. Southern State Community College is sponsoring shirts for participating players, while KFC, 24 Deli and Exchange, and Save-A-Lot are providing food and drink for the officials, media, and other workers. G&J Pepsi is the official drink provider for the OVHC. Highland District Hospital will have athletic trainers on site to take care of any medical needs.
And, each paying fan, or family, will receive a free program at this year’s event. Fans are encouraged to support the sponsors. And, if other local businesses are interested in becoming an advertising sponsor, visit the website at www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com. A full list of sponsors is at the bottom of the page.
Fans can also support their local teams by purchasing tickets at the schools. Many of the participating school will be selling tickets at their school and the schools keep half those proceeds, said Carroll.
Sponsors are for the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic are: Premier Sponsor, R+L Carriers; Presenting Sponsor, Big Ernie’s Pizza; Slam Dunk Sponsors, Southern State Community College; 3-Point Sponsors:,G&J Pepsi, Highland District Hospital, Great Oaks Career Technical Center, Wright State University, Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church, Sherwood Auto and Campers; 2-pt Sponsors, Bill Marine Ford, Doug Marine Motors, Chad Abbott Signs, KFC, CMH Regional Health Systems, JK Precast, Campus Nation; Free-Throw Sponsors, Snow Hill Country Club, The Times Gazette, Lowes, Highland County Press, Hobart, 24 Deli and Exchange, Five Points Implement, Inc., ATSG; Layup Sponsors, Kibler Lumber, NCB, Harsha Monuments, Stephanie’s Pet Spa and Pet Center, Save a Lot, and Union Stock Yards.
