KFC/Taco Bell
Holiday Classic...

Held the final week of December each year, this prep showcase features the best basketball teams and players in Kentucky. Teams from as far away as Florida, Alabama, Pennsylvania and (gasp!) even Australia have taken a shot at the title. It’s truly a Classic!

This year, Ringgold High School of Pennsylvania is a featured team along with Pleasure Ridge Park of Louisville, Paul Laurence Dunbar of Lexington and 5^th Region power North Hardin. But that’s just in the boys’ competition! In 2007, a girls’ division has been added and fans will get to see Fairdale, Christian County and red hot Marion County, to name a few.

In the 2007 boys’ division, North Hardin would appear to be a favorite with Jamarous Sykes, a 7-foot-2, 280-pounder, and an impressive frontcourt of 6-foot-6 LaRod King, who impressed many with his performance in the Rick Bolus’s Blue-Chip camp earlier this year, and point guard Maurice Gosa, who is ranked among the state’s best seniors.

Apollo of Owensboro features one of the state’s Top 10 players in senior Tyler Brown. The 6-foot-3 sharpshooter has been mentioned as a possible Mr. Basketball after a brilliant performance in last season’s Sweet Sixteen State Tournament.

In the 2007 girls’ division, defending 20^th District champion Marion County will be making their presence known against a stellar lineup of opponents. Miss Basketball candidate Tacarra Hayes will be featured in head-to-head battles with some of the top prospects in the state.

Cierra Ricketts, an explosive 5’8” guard, who recently signed with Arkansas for her collegiate career, leads Christian County, who sported a dazzling 27-5 record last season and missed the state tournament by a loss in the regional finals.

In 2007, there will be 32 games to see over four days. Last year, there were nearly 3,000 paid admissions and fans came from as far away as Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee. Scroll down for a complete schedule and ways to save money on admission as well as booking an overnight package.

Started six years ago, the Holiday Classic has become the premier sports event in central Kentucky during the holiday season. The Classic champ receives a team award and a dozen pairs of shoes from And 1 and some lucky fans get to compete in a shooting contest and a chance to win $25,000.

Tickets at the gate are $6. For a discount, purchase an advanced ticket online or at the Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission office located at 239 N. Spalding Ave. For substantial savings, purchase a tournament pass for $16.

For more information, call Tim Peterson at 270.692.6066 or e-mail timothy.peterson@marion.kyschools.us.

2007 Boys’ Schedule:

♥ Wed., Dec. 26 – Washington Co. v. Green Co., 10:45 a.m.; North Hardin v. Paul Laurence Dunbar, 4 p.m.; Marion Co. v. Bethlehem, 7:30 p.m.; Ringgold v. Apollo, 9:15 p.m.

♥ Thurs., Dec. 27 – Ringgold v. North Hardin, 12:30 p.m.; Washington Co. v. Bethlehem, 4 p.m.; Marion Co. v. Green Co., 7:30 p.m.; Apollo v. Dunbar, 9:15 p.m.

♥ Fri., Dec. 28 – Paul Laurence Dunbar v. Ringgold, 10:45 a.m.; Green Co. v. Bethlehem, 2:15 p.m.; North Hardin v. Apollo, 7:30 p.m.; Marion Co. v. Washington Co., 9:15 p.m.

♥ Sat., Dec. 29 – Pool A #4 v. Pool B #4, 10:45 a.m.; Pool A #3 v. Pool B #3, 2:15 p.m.; Pool A #2 v. Pool B #2, 6 p.m.; Pool A #1 v. Pool B #1, 9:15 p.m.

Pool A                                                             Pool B

Marion County                                      North Hardin

Washington County                     Apollo

Bethlehem                                                    Paul Laurence Dunbar

Green County                                        Ringgold

 

2007 Girls’ Schedule:

♥ Wed., Dec. 26 – Louisville Central v. McCreary Central, 9 a.m.; Apollo v. Fairdale, 12:30 p.m.; Christian Co. v. Jeffersontown, 2:15 p.m.; Marion Co. v. Pleasure Ridge Park, 6 p.m.

♥ Thurs., Dec. 27 – Jeffersontown v. Fairdale, 9 a.m.; Pleasure Ridge Park v. Louisville Central, 10:45 a.m.; Christian Co. v. Apollo., 2:15 p.m.; Marion Co. v. McCreary Central, 6 p.m.

♥ Fri., Dec. 28 – Apollo v. Jeffersontown, 9 a.m.; Pleasure Ridge Park v. McCreary Central, 12:30 p.m.; Christian Co. v. Fairdale, 4 p.m.; Marion Co. v. Louisville Central, 6 p.m.

♥ Sat., Dec. 29 – Pool A #4 v. Pool B #4, 9 a.m.; Pool A #3 v. Pool B #3, 12:30 p.m.; Pool A #2 v. Pool B #2, 4 p.m.; Pool A #1 v. Pool B #1, 7:30 p.m.

Pool A                                                               Pool B

Marion County                                     Apollo

Louisville Central                              Fairdale

McCreary Central                           Christian County

Pleasure Ridge Park                      Jeffersontown

 

NOTE: The final day pairings are based on record, head to head, quarters won, points allowed, points scored and coin toss, in that order. Home team is the first team listed and that team will wear white.

 

KFC/Taco Bell Holiday Classic Package!

Hampton Inn of Lebanon - $197 (3 days, 2 nights)

Enjoy the modern comforts of this new hotel with amenities found at Hampton Inn properties nationwide, including free local phone calls, Lodgenet in-room movie rental and Nintendo, smoking and non-smoking rooms, free The Courier-Journal each morning, coffee makers, free wireless high-speed Internet access, irons and boards, complimentary coffee and tea 24 hours a day, indoor pool, elevator, voice mail, guest laundry and alarm clock radios.

Your package includes hot breakfast for two each morning, a Welcome gift and two tournament passes.