SALISBURY- The field for the 2014 Governor’s Challenge holiday high school basketball tournament, the largest of its kind in Maryland, was announced this week and the event appears to be bigger and better than ever.
The Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament returns to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center on December 26-30 and officials this week announced the tournament’s field for the 2014 event, which has long been a staple for holiday basketball on Delmarva. Now in its 33rd year, the Governor’s Challenge will host 52 teams from around the region including Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
“The growth that this tournament has seen over the years is very special,” said Wicomico High Coach Butch Waller. “It was really born in the 1981-1982 season when we held a double-header at the Civic Center with DeMatha, which had former Maryland and NBA star Adrian Branch, St. John’s, Crisfield and WiHi. It grew every year after with the help of some key people in the community and now 33 years later has evolved into the Governor’s Challenge and 52 teams coming to town. It’s hard to believe.”
A key contributor in the growth in this year’s event has come from the tournament’s partnership with DMVelite Showcase Events. The partnership has attracted top talent from around the region and the addition of the DMVelite Showcase. The showcase will include a mix of local teams and top programs from around the region to be featured in prime time.
“In the overall tournament field this year, we have defending state champions, defending conference champions and teams that are hungry to prove that they belong in the championship conversation,” said DMVelite Director Edgar Walker. “The event will be a great proving ground for all of these teams to really earn respect and get prepared for league and playoff play. This year also features a great collection of high-level college prospects, including several well-known Division I recruits. As this team list suggests, the event will be great draw for college coaches, scouts and media outlets throughout the east coast.”
For the first time this year, the boys will be sharing the spotlight with the inaugural girls’ division. Included in the girls’ division area some of the top high school programs in the state and from around the region.
“We are excited about the field of teams in this year’s event,” said Governor’s Challenge Tournament Director James Simmons. “It is a collection of many levels of talent from all around the region that are coming together for four days this holiday season. We have a strong history with our existing tournament and the addition of the DMVelite Showcase and the girls’ division are sure to continue the growth and expansion of our event and provide a great atmosphere for fans to be a part of this holiday season.”