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AHOSKIE – It’s a great last gift to unwrap if you’re a high school basketball fan.

The 31st annual Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic tips off Monday, Dec. 26 at the Hertford County High School gym with a dozen teams participating.

The tournament, founded in 1990 by the late Richard Murray, former HCHS athletic director, runs through Thursday, Dec. 29.

This year’s event features six schools and a total of 12 teams (six varsity boys and six varsity girls squads). Thpse teams will represent Edenton’s J.H. Holmes High School, Northeastern High School out of Elizabeth City, Roanoke Rapids High School, Gates County High School, Bertie High School, and Hertford County High School.

Over the years the Holiday Classic has seen some memorable games and memorable players.

Following the same format as in the past several years, Hertford County and Bertie will receive first-round byes in boys and girls games and won’t begin play until Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Four first-round games will open the tournament on Monday beginning with the 4 p.m. girl’s game between Gates County and Northeastern followed at 5:30 by the Gates County boy’s against Northeastern.

The evening games on Monday will begin at 7 p.m. with Roanoke Rapids versus Edenton Holmes girls, and the nightcap at 8:30 p.m. game of the Roanoke Rapids boys facing off against Edenton Holmes.

On Tuesday, the Gates/Northeastern girl’s winner takes on Bertie at 4 p.m. The Gates/Northeastern boy’s winner will meet Bertie at 5:30 p.m.

Hertford County High will see their first tournament action later on Tuesday when the Lady Bears square off against the Roanoke Rapids/Edenton Holmes winner at 7 p.m. followed by the Bears meeting the Roanoke Rapids/Edenton Holmes boy’s winner at 8:30 p.m.

The consolation round games are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 4 and 5:30 p.m. (girls and boys 5^th place games) and 7 and 8:30 p.m. (girls and boys 3^rd place games).

Championship night is Thursday, Dec. 29 starting with the girl’s title tilt at 6 p.m. followed at 7:30 by the boy’s game for the top trophy. Following the games, trophies will be awarded to the top two teams as well as the naming of the girls and boys All-Tournament teams.

Tickets are available for purchase online ($10 per person) by using the following links:

Day 1    https://gofan.co/app/events/835625?schoolId=NC1032

Day 2    https://gofan.co/app/events/835682?schoolId=NC1032

Day 3    https://gofan.co/app/events/835695?schoolId=NC1032

Day 4    https://gofan.co/app/events/835701?schoolId=NC1032

Tickets are the door are $15 each.