Staff report
The schedule for the annual Flyin’ to the Hoop high school basketball event was released at a press conference recently, and the Sidney Yellow Jackets will play in the opening game.
The event will take place Jan. 13-thru-16 and feature 20 games.
The first game of the event will be Sidney taking on Fairmont, which will be playing on its home floor at Trent Arena. Game time will be 6:30.
“We had one date open and we were kinda holding it open with the idea that we might get in to the Flyin’ to the Hoop,’ ” said Sidney athletic director Mitch Hoying. “We started putting some feelers out about the middle of last season, and about three weeks after the season ended, they confirmed that we would be playing.
“I like playing in the opening game. That’s a good spot for us,” he added. “And it’s a good opportunity for our kids to get exposure.”
Sidney will have a new head coach this season, with longtime Houston coach John Willoughby taking over.
The Jackets finished 17-8 last season.
This will be the second time Sidney has been invited to play in the event.
Sidney isn’t the only local/area team in the event. The Versailles Tigers, who will be led by Ohio State signee Justin Ahrens this season, will play Tri-Village on the final day, Jan. 16, at 11:30 a.m.
Following is the schedule:
Flyin’ to the Hoop
At Trent Arena, Kettering
Jan. 13
SIDNEY vs. Fairmont, 6:30
IMG (Florida) vs. Hamilton Heights (Tenn.), 8:15
Jan. 14
St. Joseph Academy vs. Alter, 11:30 (girls basketball)
Columbus Eastmoor vs. Springfield, 1:15
Hilliard Bradley vs. Beavercreek, 3:00
Pickerington Central vs. Wheeler, Ga., 4:45
Gray Collegiate Aca. (S.C.) vs. Massillon Jackson, 6:30
Huntington Prep (WV) vs. Wayne, 8:15
Jan. 15
Gahanna Lincoln vs. Dayton Thurgood Marshall, 11:30
Cleveland Heights vs. Centerville, 1:15
Pickerington North vs. AkronSt. Vincent-St. Mary, 3:00
Upper Arlington vs. Garfield Heights, 4:45
Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs. Huntington Prep (WV)
Covington Catholic (Ky.) vs. Dayton Dunbar
Jan. 16
Tri-Village vs. VERSAILLES, 11:30
Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs. Trotwood, 1:15
Wheeler (Ga.) vs. Cin. Princeton 3:00
Roger Bacon vs. Bethel, 4:45
Wesley Christian (Ky.) vs. Dayton Chaminade
Middletown vs. Alter, 8:15
