Annual event features top local high school talent
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, operators of Berglund Center, announced the 2nd annual Lea’s High School Winter Classic Basketball Challenge will be held January 9, 2016 in the Berglund Center Coliseum. Tickets, on sale Wednesday, December 2 at 10 am, will be general admission for $10 with a special student ticket at $5, and are available at the Berglund Center Box office, HomeTownBankTix.com, or by calling 877-HTB-TIXNow. Each ticket is good for the entire Classic.
New this year, a girls’ game will kick off the day featuring William Fleming vs. Floyd County at 12:15pm, followed by Virginia Episcopal (Lynchburg) vs. Greenbrier Christian Academy (Chesapeake) at 2pm, William Fleming vs. Spotswood (Penn Laird) at 3:45, Patrick Henry vs. Greenbriar East (Lewisburg, WV) at 5:30pm, and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson) vs. St. Paul VI (Fairfax) in the marquee matchup at 7:15.
“The first year was an absolute success,” said Robyn Schon, General Manager. “We had positive feedback from all of the participating teams and the community really came out and showed their support. We hope to make this an annual tradition of showcasing the top players in the area at this Winter Classic.”
Once again, some of the top talent in the ESPN 2016 Top 100 recruits for College Basketball will participate in the Classic. Mario Kegler, ranked No. 32, Braxton Key, ranked No. 66 and committed to Alabama, and Joe Hampton, ranked No. 98 and committed to Penn State, are members of the Oak Hill team that will be facing off against V.J. King of Paul VI, ranked No. 27 and committed to Louisville. Harry Giles, the top player in the nation, will be sitting on the sidelines for Oak Hill after he tore his ACL earlier this year. Giles recently committed to play for Duke.
The goal of the Winter Classic is not just to showcase top talent, but also to serve as a reminder of the great resources focused on strengthening members of the community that exist. Last year, $1,000 was given in grants to non-profit organizations set up on the Coliseum concourse throughout the day. Attendees of the game received a snowflake as they entered and gave it to one of 10 non-profits featured as a show of support. The list of non-profits participating in this year’s game is still being finalized. Interested groups should visit www.theberglundcenter.com for information on how to take part.
“My son and I are proud to again serve as the title sponsor of the Lea’s High School Winter Classic Basketball Challenge. This is an opportunity for student athletes to display their talents and perform in front of thousands of spectators at the newly renovated Berglund Center,” said councilman Sherman Lea Sr. “Fans in attendance will have an opportunity to watch excellent basketball talent both local and from across the state of Virginia. More importantly, the Classic brings awareness to non-profit service providers in our community and it will benefit one of the non-profit organizations that will be selected by the citizens in attendance. We believe in providing assistance to those non-profits that are working to enhance our community. This is an event the whole family can enjoy. See you there on January 9th. “
S.P. Lea and Associates and New Hope Support Services will be the title sponsors of the event. The City of Roanoke, Law Offices of Daniel L. Crandall & Associates and Greg Roberts Live! are also supporting sponsors.
