Events Serve a Range of Ages This Weekend

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Hot hoops action for everyone this weekend.

January 15, 2009 - Basketball aficionados in the Washington-Baltimore corridor will be well served this weekend by both events concerning pre-high school boys and those in grades 9-12: The Essex Winter Classic and The HEHASE/MLK/DC Sickle Cell Foundation Showcase.

First the high schoolers - during Essex's Winter Classic Paul Roberson (NYC) takes on Cesar Chavez (DC) at 4pm, followed by Gwynn Park (MD) battling Reginald Lewis (MD), starting at 6pm.

Cost is $5.00 and the location, Essex Community College, (7201 Rossville Boulevard, Baltimore, MD - (410) 682-6000) is easily accessible, as it's right on the edge of Baltimore.

On the D.C. side, 14 and under travel teams will convene at Number 10 Boys and Girls Club (2500 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC - (202) 232-2197) for the Showcase, an effort designed to assist young people with Sickle Cell disease. The schedule is as follows:

12pm MD Finest vs 5on5
2pm MWV vs DC Assault
3pm Ivey 23 vs Team Takeover
4pm Team Melo vs Future Players

It's expected the Showcase will be heavily attended by high school coaches attempting to scout talented young players. Cost is also $5.00 to enter.

Either way you go, it's a winning proposition: On one side of the Parkway high schoolers battle, on the other younger players.

Basketball and its followers will be well served.