The Premier High School Basketball Holiday Invitational Returns, Highlighting Triangle’s Young Talent
Durham, NC (November 14, 2023) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is excited to announce the return of the Champion Durham Classic. The event will be held from December 26-28 at Hillside High School, located at 3727 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27707. Action on the court kicks off at 3 p.m. each day. The complete game schedule and ticket packages for one, two, or all three days are now available. Those interested in volunteering during the event are encouraged to reach out through the event website.
“Returning for the third year, the Champion Durham Classic exemplifies our mission to celebrate and elevate young talent,” said Kaila’Shea Menendez, Deputy Director of the Durham Sports Commission. “The invitational goes beyond just competitive basketball; it serves as a platform that fosters diversity, education, and community spirit for each participating student-athlete. It’s an incredible experience to witness teams compete from the Triangle area, but even more exciting to offer unique programming that will help pave the way and contribute to their bright futures. Our vision has always been to deeply intertwine sports and community in Durham, and I urge all fans, families, and community members to join us in supporting these outstanding young athletes.”
For the second year in a row, the Champion Durham Classic remains committed to the Durham community through contributing proceeds from the Classic to the One Team, One Durham Fund (1T1D). 1T1D plays a pivotal role in supporting youth sports development in the community by providing essential grants to local non-profits. This initiative counters the escalating costs of youth sports, ensuring that every young athlete, regardless of their financial background, gets an equal shot at pursuing their sporting dreams. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute even more by choosing to donate additional amounts when securing their tickets.
The Champion Durham Classic will proudly showcase a diverse array of teams, reflecting the rich talent across North Carolina. On the girls’ side, the event will feature Raleigh’s Millbrook High School Wildcats and the Knights from North Raleigh Christian Academy; local talents from Hillside High School’s Lady Hornets, Charles E. Jordan High School’s Lady Falcons, Southern Durham High School’s Spartans, and Durham School of the Arts’ Bulldogs. As for the boys, the lineup is equally thrilling with the Bulldogs of Durham School of the Arts, Hillside High School’s Hornets, and the Cavaliers from Hugh M. Cummings High School in Burlington.
The DSC will host educational sessions titled “More than the Game: What’s Next” during the invitational. These sessions, scheduled on Tuesday, December 26, and Thursday, December 28, at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., aim to guide student-athletes, parents, coaches, and others in understanding recruiting, personal branding, and name, image, and likeness (NIL). Prominent speakers include Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, Mitch Moser, and Ovester Grays.
The DSC would also like to extend its gratitude to sponsors Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Marco’s Pizza, Durham Sports Club, and Sheetz. In a new collaboration, Sheetz will not only provide complimentary snacks for student-athletes and coaches throughout the Classic but also informal interview opportunities for student-athletes looking for employment.
In the heart of the Durham community, Hillside High School stands as a beacon of history and excellence, celebrating its 100th year of operation. Originally named after Hillside Park, this institution predates the desegregation of schools in the South, and it carries the distinction of being among the five remaining historically black high schools still running today. In a recent collaboration, the basketball courts of Hillside Park received a stunning refurbishment, thanks to the combined efforts of FILA USA and the Tamia and Grant Hill Foundation.
Tickets are $15 per day with two- and three-day ticket packages available for purchase at the door or by visiting www.durhamncsports.com/champion-durham-classic/.
About Durham Sports Commission
The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and creates positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.
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