The holidays are the best time to openly flaunt your nostalgia flag since the entire season is devoted to such outbursts of joy.
Luckily for those who like their nostalgia with a healthy portion of good old-fashioned sporting glory, the Grand Rapids Public Schools Athletics (GRPSA) are bringing back their popular East vs. West Battle of the Best of I-96 Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.
It may have been many years since the last tourney was staged here, but it has not faded from the memory of those who looked forward each winter to this day-long basketball event at which rival teams get together to raise money for a great cause.
And just like each annual tournament from the past, the Holiday Classic features top ranked teams from both the east and west sides of Michigan who will go head-to-head in a highly competitive, but ultimately thoroughly enjoyable, day of championship basketball.
How they determine the winner is actually quite simple, with each game enabling a team to win a point for their respective side of the state. The winner is decided at the final match, during which the side of the state with the most points earns a year’s worth of bragging rights. There is even halftime entertainment for many of the day’s games, including half-court “swoosh” basket contest where attendees can compete for prizes.
The best part is that the Holiday Classic raises funds to support GRPS K-12 sports programming to help eliminate any “pay to play” fee students may be facing. And that is the best win of all in my opinion.
Holiday Classic Schedule:
12:00 p.m. Williamston vs. Rockford
1:45 p.m. Lansing Sexton vs. Benton Harbor
3:30 p.m. Detroit Henry Ford vs. Wayland Union
5:15 p.m. Detroit Community vs. GR Union
7:00 p.m. East Lansing vs. GR Ottawa Hills
Admission: $10 per person. Children ages five and under are free. One ticket is good for all five games.
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