For Immediate Release

Date: Monday, January 12, 2004

Contact: Scott Hacker, 513-794-4173

Hacks Northern Kentucky Hoops Classic

16 Teams, 8 Games Played At Northern Kentucky University

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Sixteen teams and eight games highlight the inaugural Hacks Northern Kentucky Hoops Classic, to be played over two days on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 at Regents Hall on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.

The Hacks Northern Kentucky Hoops Classic, conducted by Hacks Sports, was created to give Northern Kentucky boys’ high school basketball teams the opportunity to compete in a collegiate environment and to showcase Northern Kentucky basketball with a schedule that features many of the top teams and players from the area.

Nine of the 16 teams competing are currently ranked in the top 10 in Northern Kentucky.  Several players participating are either leading the area or are among the top of several statistical categories.

St. Henry and Dixie Heights start things off on Friday night.  Sam Lageman (14.2 ppg.) leads the Crusaders while Michael O’Toole (13.7 ppg./6.1 rpg.) has been a standout for the Colonels.

Action swings into high gear on Saturday with seven games on tap.  Charles Kinney (13 ppg.) leads Lloyd against Pendleton County and its rebounding tandem of Joey Verax (7.5 rpg.) and Keaton Belcher (7.1 rpg.).  Highlands and Grant County square off next followed by Holmes and Newport.  The Bulldogs, yielding 48.5 ppg., will be tested by guard Michael Searp, who scored an area-high 42 points in a game this season. 

Holy Cross and Conner face each other in one of the day’s marquee games.  The Indians are led by guard Scott Bibbins (14 ppg./6.2 apg.). NCC, with Mark Krebs (16 ppg.) and Michael Zimmerman (14.9 ppg.) takes on Scott followed by Boone County against Campbell County.  The Rebels’ Travis Rasso (10.2 rpg.) and David McFarland (9.1 apg.) lead the area in rebounding and assists while the Camels’ Davey Johnson (20.7 ppg.) is one of the top scorers.  The nightcap features Bishop Brossart against Simon Kenton.  Senior seven-footer Derrick Rhoden (14 ppg.) leads the Mustangs while Evan Stowers (16.9 ppg.) leads the Pioneers.

Adult tickets cost $8 and student tickets cost $6 and provide access to all games. Part of the proceeds benefit the participating schools. For more information on the Hacks Northern Kentucky Hoops Classic, visit the website at (www.hoopsclassic).

Hacks Sports (www.hacksportsmarketing.com), publishers of Hacks 9Sports Magazine, daily updated Website (www.hacksports.com), sporting events, and promotions, is the sports marketing division of ReachUSA, publishers of Reach Magazine, a direct mail product produced in 25 cities across the United States.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, Jan. 16

St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17

Pendleton County vs. Lloyd 11:30 a.m.

Highlands vs. Grant County 1:00 p.m.

Holmes vs. Newport 2:30 p.m.

Holy Cross vs. Conner 4:00 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic vs. Scott 5:30 p.m.

Campbell County vs. Boone County 7:00 p.m.

Simon Kenton vs. Bishop Brossart 8:30 p.m.

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