The Big Atlantic Classic basketball tournament is back and better than ever before. Beginning Sunday, January 29th with the annual tip off banquet, that will feature Shaquille O’Neal as the guest speaker, the Big Atlantic Classic will be held at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center, formerly known as the Raleigh County Armory.
This year’s basketball tournament will get underway on Monday, January 30th and will feature a number of middle school games that will begin at 12 Noon. In the evening session, Class AA powers Wyoming East and Oak Hill will square off at 7:25 followed by the Class A matchup between Midland Trail and Buffalo.
On Tuesday, January 31st, the middle school teams will continue play beginning at noon and then the evening session will feature Class A Montcalm taking on Fayetteville at 7:25, followed by Class AA Independence going up against Tug Valley. The Panthers defeated Class AAA South Charleston this past Saturday night.
On Wednesday, February 1st, the big game of the night will showcase two national powers as Oak Hill Academy from Mouth of Wilson, VA. will take on Arlington County Day from Jacksonville, FL. Oak Hill Academy is currently ranked #1 in the country with a 27-0 record while Arlington Country Day is ranked #10. Following the national contest Wednesday night, the Class A Championship will be played.
On Thursday, February 2nd, the games will begin at 4pm as the girls teams in the tournament hit the floor and the first game will feature George Washington taking on University, followed by Shady Spring vs. Ripley and then at 7:25p it will be Hedgesville battling Greenbrier East. The Spartans of Greenbrier East are coached by the Big Atlantic Classic’s tournament director Jim Justice and they are currently ranked #1 in the state with a record of 14-0. The Spartans are the only undefeated girls team in Class AAA. After the girls games on Thursday, the night cap will feature a great boy’s game as Fairmont Senior will battle last year’s Class AAA State Champion Patriots of George Washington.
On Friday, the action begins at 2:30pm with the girls game between Nicholas County and Preston and then following a girls consolation game, some of the top Class AAA boys teams in the state will play. At 5:40pm, Morgantown will battle Hedgesville, followed at 7:25pm by Beckley Woodrow Wilson taking on Martinsburg. The nightcap on Friday night will feature the Greenbrier East Spartans and the Patriots of Parkersburg South.
Saturday, February 4th will feature a total of 8 games with the morning session beginning at 9:00am and the final Championship game tipping off Saturday night at 9:00pm.
Tickets are available by contacting the box office of the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center at 304-252-7361.