MNHC Brings Holiday Hoop Fare

Ron Bailey, Publisher

PG County Press Release Reveals Big Holiday Tourney.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO HOST THE FIRST ANNUAL“MARYLAND NATIONAL HOOPS CLASSIC (MNHC)WINTER BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT”

Upper Marlboro, MD -- The Prince George’s Black Chamber of Commerce, in association with the Prince George’s Public Schools’ Athletic Association is proud to present The First Annual “Maryland National Hoops Classic (MNHC).” This three-day event is scheduled to take place December 28 through December 30, 2009 at Dr. Henry A. Wise High, Jr. School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This inaugural invitational will feature high school players from some of the finest teams in the nation for exciting basketball competition, half time activities and interviews, as well as other auxiliary events that are enjoyable for the entire family.

"Prince George’s County continues to bring extraordinary basketball talents at both the collegiate and professional levels,” said MNHC Executive Director, Earl Hawkins. “We are excited to bring such a high caliber of high school basketball athletes together to participate in the 2009 MNHC - Winter Tournament in Prince George’s County, Maryland, the ‘Hot Bed for Basketball’.”

Julian Underwood, future NC A&T Aggie, will help lead Coolidge in MNHC action.

“We are pleased to be a part of this type of community outreach and entertainment,” said Mr. Maynard Smith of the Prince George’s Black Chamber of Commerce. "This exciting tournament is a great opportunity for students, parents, teachers and fans to witness outstanding basketball, while capturing team spirit and building camaraderie among some of the finest schools in the country."

Basketball competition starts with games at 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. each day beginning Monday, December 28th through December 30th at the Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. Gymnasium Complex at 12650 Brooke Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.

The seven (7) competing High Schools include: (1) Bladensburg H.S., Bladensburg, MD; (2) Calvin Coolidge H.S., Washington, DC; (3) Dr. Henry A. Wise H.S., Upper Marlboro, MD; (4) Herbert Hoover H.S., San Diego, CA; (5) J.E.B. Stuart H.S., Fairfax, VA; (6) Mergenthaler H.S., Baltimore, MD; and (7) Raleigh Egypt H.S., Memphis, TN.

Tickets are available for purchase at all Downtown Locker Room (DTLR) Locations or through Ticket Leap at www.ticketleap.com. Special ticket packages are also available for purchase.

For more information, visit the official MNHC website at www. mdnationalhoopsclassic.com

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE. BE A PART OF A GROWING TRADITION IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY. CONTACT THE PRINCE GEORGE’S BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT 301-567-9650