High School Hoops Heats Up During Holiday Break

By MARK F. GRAY

School may be out for students in the metropolitan area but for several high school basketball teams this is a big week to prepare for their conference races.

There are two tournaments scheduled for the multi-court Hoop Magic facility in Chantilly, Virginia featuring high school teams from Maryland and Virginia facing counterparts from around the country. Following that event the facility will host a major AAU showcase with some of the top programs and players who will impact high school teams over the next few seasons.

Beginning Tuesday, the Hooping Through The Holiday Tournament tips off a two day round robin competition featuring 20 teams and 10 games. The games feature public, private, and charter school teams from D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. This is not a tournament that will crown a champion but each team will play two games against quality competition.

Among the teams who will play in the tournament from the DMV are Prince George’s County power Laurel who is expected contend for a state championship this year and fledgling DC Charter School powerhouse Cesar Chavez. For Chavez this represents a chance for them to bring respect to programs who haven’t been getting much as outsiders in to their counterparts in the DCIAA.

The other teams from the metro area who are scheduled to compete are: Suitland, Wheaton, Parkdale, and Washington Public Latin. Virginia will be represented by Kellam, Middleburg, and Christ Church. Traditional North Carolina power West Charlotte rounds out the field.

The action begins on Tuesday at noon with at least five games each day.

After the high school action concludes the Hoop Magic JV showcase tips off featuring AAU and junior varsity programs. Many of the players in this JV showcase will ultimately be stars on local high school teams over the next few years.

The schedule of events can be found at http://www.hoopmagicsa.com.