WHEELING, W.Va — WesBanco Arena will play host to the 12th annual Cancer Research Classic, showcasing elite high school basketball programs from around the nation. The two-day event, sponsored by Wheeling Hospital, will begin on January 4th.
Scheduled to play in this year’s event are: Montverde (Montverde, FL), Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV), La Lumiere (La Porte, IN), DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD), Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV), Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, KS), McEachern (Powder Springs, GA), Gonzaga (Washington, DC), Imhotep (Philadelphia), Roselle Catholic (Roselle, NJ), Norcross (Norcross, GA), First Love Christian (Washington, PA).
Regional games include: Wheeling Park vs. Moon Area High School (Moon Township, PA), and Wheeling Central Catholic vs. Butler (Butler, PA).
38 CRC alumni are playing in the NBA. Most recent NBA draftees include Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Markelle Fultz, Zach Collins, Miles Bridges, Mohammed Bamba, Jaren Jackson, Terrance Ferguson and Jabari Bird.
Wheeling Jesuit University had hosted the tournament for the first 11 years of the event. The move to WesBanco Arena will accommodate the up to ten thousand fans that attend the tournament annually.
Local high school bands providing entertainment throughout the weekend include: Buckeye Local, Indian Creek, St. Clairsville, Steubenville Big Red and Harding Middle School.