The 2018 edition of High School Holiday Hoops features a record number of 115 teams with an increased representation from the state of Iowa.
Holiday Hoops Director Steve Maxey said that the four schools from Iowa is probably a sign of things to come.
“NCMC has increased their marketing efforts to Iowa and we (Holiday Hoops) have done the same with four outstanding teams participating in this year’s event,” Maxey said. “Bringing a combined record of 77 wins and 17 losses from last year, these four ball clubs bring a very high level of play and success to the Hoops program.”
Des Moines Hoover and Des Moines North join Grandview Christian Academy and Lincoln High School of Council Bluffs as the Iowa schools participating with Des Moines North as the only returning participant to Holiday Hoops. Maxey said that several other Iowa schools have already inquired about the 2019 schedule.
The ball clubs from Iowa were either conference and/or district champions last year or lost in the district finals while Grandview Christian is a repeat state champion. All four schools have final four experience.
Maxey said the effort to recruit teams from out of state has already paid off as students who experienced NCMC and Holiday Hoops for the first time later chose to attend school in Trenton and play for the Pirates.
“And that is one of the goals of Holiday Hoops – to expose students to the local college with hopes of them returning as a student/athlete,” Maxey said.
All four Iowa schools will be in play early in this year’s Holiday Hoops schedule since Iowa schools are not allowed to enter into athletic competition once they break for the holidays. Lincoln and Hoover will be in action this weekend while Grandview Christian enters play on Monday, Dec. 17 and Des Moines North will be in action on Saturday, Dec. 22.
“Taking nothing away from the strong teams from Missouri that will be in competition, the 2018 local event could see many potential final four teams in action eventually heading to Columbia for state finals,” Maxey said “One never knows what might happen with teams facing each other for the first time on an even playing field, so look for lots of exciting action when Holiday Hoops tips off on Friday night.”
Holiday Hoops action takes place from Friday, Dec. 14 to Monday, Dec. 31 with 77 games being played over that span. A schedule of games appears on pages 4 and 5 of today’s Republican-Times.
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