AHOSKIE – For basketball connoisseurs, it’s five days worth of “Black Friday.”

The week-long “hoops frenzy” known as the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament tips-off its ninth year on Monday, Dec. 1 with games at Ridgecroft School, Lawrence Academy and Northeast Academy.

The event, sponsored jointly by United Country Joe Murray Realty and the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald since its inception, will feature teams from seven schools vying for championships in varsity boys, varsity girls, JV boys and JV girls basketball.

The tournament is held in memory of the late Thomas Nicholas “Nick” Brantley. The Ridgecroft School scholar-athlete and graduate of Virginia Tech lost his life on Sept. 24, 2005 when his Navy Seahawk helicopter went down off the North Carolina coast during a training exercise. He is the son of Keith and Joyce Brantley of the Center Grove community near Ahoskie.

“When you think of a student-athlete, you immediately think of Nick,” said tournament co-sponsor Joe Murray of United Country Joe Murray Realty. “I believe he would be proud of the way we are carrying forth in the true spirit of high school competition.”

The tournament will feature four schools that have participated since the inception of the tournament – Bethel Christian Academy, Lawrence Academy, Northeast Academy and Ridgecroft School. Pungo Christian Academy joined seven years ago, while Southampton Academy from Courtland, VA will be making its third trip to ‘Carolina. Albemarle Academy rounds out the field.

In addition to five days of basketball, three scholarships are awarded in honor of the tournament’s namesake. Each year scholarships totaling $2,000 are given out during the closing ceremonies.

“Both United Country Joe Murray Realty and the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald are committed to continuing this tradition of aiding our local student-athletes in their endeavor to further their education,” said Cal Bryant, Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications.

Murray said to date, three sponsors have pledged their financial supports to the tournament: Tom Fretwell – $1,000; and $500 each from Michael Harrell of Jernigan Oil/Duck Thru, and Attorney Maria Misse and Dr. Ed Misse. All three are repeat sponsors.

“We are proud of the support we have received over the years and grateful for those who are once again giving this year,” Murray stated.

All games begin at 4 p.m. and nightly admission is $5 per person.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 1

Games at Ridgecroft School

Game 1: Northeast VG vs. Southampton VG

Game 2: Northeast VB vs. Southampton VB

Game 3: Ridgecroft VG vs. Bethel VG

Game 4: Ridgecroft VB vs. Bethel VB

Games at Lawrence Academy

Game 5: Pungo JVG vs. Lawrence JVG

Game 6: Pungo JVB vs. Lawrence JVB

Game 7: Lawrence VG vs. Albemarle VG

Game 8: Lawrence VB vs. Albemarle VB

Tuesday, December 2

Games at Ridgecroft School

Game 9: Southampton JVG vs. Northeast JVG

Game 10: Southampton JVB vs. Northeast JVB

Game 11: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 3

Game 12: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 4

Games at Lawrence Academy

Game 13: Bethel JVG vs. Winner of Game 5

Game 14: Bethel JVB vs. Winner of Game 6

Game 15: Pungo VG vs. Winner of Game 7

Game 16: Pungo VB vs. Winner of Game 8

Wednesday, December 3

Games at Ridgecroft School

Game 17: Ridgecroft JVG vs. Winner of Game 9

Game 18: Ridgecroft JVB vs. Winner of Game 10

Game 19: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 3

Game 20: Loser of Game 2 vs. Loser of Game 4

Thursday, December 4

Games at Northeast Academy

Game 21: Loser of Game 19 vs. Loser of Game 13

Game 22: Loser of Game 20 vs. Loser of Game 14

Game 23: Loser of Game 11 vs. Loser of Game 15

Game 24: Loser of Game 12 vs. Loser of Game 16

Games at Lawrence Academy

Game 25:  Loser of Game 9 vs. Loser of Game 5

Game 26:  Loser of Game 10 vs. Loser of Game 6

Game 27: Winner of Game 19 vs. Loser of Game 7

Game 28:  Winner of Game 20 vs. Loser of Game 8

Friday, December 5

Games at Ridgecroft

Game 29: JVG Finals: Game 17 Winner vs. Game 13 Winner

Game 30: JVB Finals: Game 18 Winner vs. Game 14 Winner

Game 31: VG Finals: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 15

Game 32: VB Finals: Winner of Game 12 vs. Winner of Game 16