Basketball in the United States by State - Basketball in Alabama, Basketball in Florida, Basketball in Illinois, Basketball in South Carolina (Paperback)

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Basketball in Alabama, Basketball in Florida, Basketball in Illinois, Basketball in South Carolina, State Farm Holiday Classic, City of Palms Classic, 2008 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, 2007 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, Alabama Mr. Basketball, 2005 Sec Women's Basketball Tournament, Alabama Miss Basketball. Excerpt: The State Farm Holiday Classic, named after the title sponsor State Farm Insurance, is the largest co-ed high school holiday basketball tournament in the United States with 64 teams (32 boys and 32 girls). Held annually for four days following Christmas, and dubbed "The Best Basketball This Side of March", the Classic is held at numerous college and high school venues throughout Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The Classic was originated in 1975 and was first called the Illinois State Classic. Normal Community High School was crowned the first boys champion by defeating Chicago Brother Rice, 60-51. Over the next 10 years (through 1985), Lincoln would play in the championship game four times (winning twice) and Galesburg would win four championships, including three straight titles from 1981-83. In the beginning, the Classic field consisted of a combination of 16 Class A (small school) and Class AA (large school) teams, from all over the state including all four intercity schools. The Classic took a break from 1986 through 1989, but came back in 1990 and was known as the University High Classic. Sherrard was crowned the champ in 1990, and two years later Gridley became the first Class A school to slay the giants and walk away as champion of the Holiday Classic. Over the years the Classic has seen its share of great individual performances. In 1985, Rockton Hononegah's Jim Shikenjanski averaged ... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=8616739