AHOSKIE – United Country Joe Murray Realty and the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald have jointly announced plans for the second annual Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament.

The tournament will honor the life and playing career of the military officer who lost his life in 2005 in a training exercise. Brantley wore the number 24 on Ridgecroft School’s varsity basketball team and played the game with intensity and good sportsmanship.

&uot;We are pleased to see this tournament for our area’s five independent schools entering its second season,&uot; News-Herald Publisher Jeff Findley said. &uot;We have been involved in a public school Christmas tournament for 15-plus years and that has been a tremendous success. We believe this event will be just as successful.&uot;

The tournament will feature Ahoskie Christian School, Bethel Christian Academy, Lawrence Academy, Northeast Academy and Ridgecroft School. Both the varsity boys and girls teams will play in the tournament.

&uot;As a business that services the areas in which all five schools are located, we felt this was a unique opportunity to be involved in a worthwhile event that will be beneficial to all the schools,&uot; United Country owner Joe Murray said.

The tournament will be played at Ridgecroft School with Rams’ Athletic Director Doug Cobbs serving as tournament director.

&uot;Hosting this tournament for the second year is something we’re pleased about,&uot; Cobbs said. &uot;Nick was an outstanding young man and to be part of honoring him in this way is something we’re very excited about.&uot;

The tournament will begin Tuesday, December 18 with a play-in game featuring Bethel Christian Academy and Ahoskie Christian School.

The girls’ contest will tip off at 4 p.m. followed immediately by the boys’ game around 5:30 p.m.

The tournament resumes on Thursday, December 20, with the winner of Tuesday’s girls game meeting Northeast Academy at 3 p.m.

The winner of the boys’ game from Tuesday will meet Northeast Academy’s varsity boys at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday’s 6 p.m. game will feature the Lawrence Academy varsity girls against host Ridgecroft School. The same two schools will play in the varsity boys’ contest which will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Friday evening, December 21, will see the girls’ consolation game starting the evening at 3 p.m. followed by the boys’ runnerup game. The girls’ championship will be the third game of the night followed by the boys’ championship.

An awards ceremony will be held following the final game.

&uot;Any sports editor who is honest will admit they have favorites,&uot; News-Herald Editor Cal Bryant said. &uot;When I was sports editor of this publication, Nick was one of mine. I loved to watch him play and I loved the passion with which he played the game.

&uot;His loss was tough on all of us,&uot; Bryant added. &uot;Naming this tournament after him is just our small way of recognizing the wonderful young man he was.&uot;

The tournament will be held in the Revelle Gymtorium on the campus of Ridgecroft School. Admission will be $6 per night Tuesday and Thursday and $7 on championship night. No passes will be honored.