State Farm Holiday Classic adds 10 new schools

The State Farm Holiday Classic is scheduled for Dec. 26-29, 2012. (WJBC file logo)

BLOOMINGTON – The Prairie Central boys’ basketball team has found a new home for the holidays.

Now that the Hawk Classic has ended its 27-year run in Fairbury, the Hawks boys’ and girls’ teams have reached agreement to participate in the State Farm Holiday Classic for the next two years.

The Hawks will be one of 10 new additions to the largest high school basketball tournament in the country as the field of 64 (63 at this point) was announced on Tuesday.

The 34th annual tournament is scheduled for Dec. 26-29 at Shirk Center, U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Normal Community and Normal West high schools.

Joining the Hawks’ boys to the Classic in 2012 will be Huntley, Plainfield South, Thornton Fractional North (3A-4A field) and Champaign St. Thomas More (1A-2A). The girls’ newcomers will be Prairie Central, Chicago Morgan Park, Chicago St. Ignatius and Geneseo. A tenth newcomer hasn’t been determined yet.

Holiday Classic Scholarship Program

For the seventh consecutive year, for the Holiday Classic Scholarship Program will award four graduating seniors with a $1,000 scholarship each. Eligible students can go to www.theclassic.org for an application form and more details on the scholarship program.

Grants to local basketball programs

Classic organizers says due to the great support of the local community and the turnout of fans to last year’s tournament, the classic will again provide a $1,000 grant to each of the eight participating intercity basketball programs (Bloomington girls, Central Catholic boys, Central Catholic girls, Normal Community boys, Normal Community girls, Normal U-High boys, Normal U-High girls and Normal West girls).

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.