WILDWOOD – For the first time ever, the Boardwalk Basketball Classic holiday tournament will begin prior to Christmas.

The tournament will host the second annual Battle at the Boards high school basketball showcase event on Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The event will include four boys and two girls games, many of which include teams from Cape May County. The Boardwalk Basketball Classic will continue Wednesday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 30 at the Convention Center.

(Watch games at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic)

The Battle at the Boards, sponsored by Crest Savings Bank, is highlighted by the Andrew Alamemo Memorial Boys and Girls Island Championship games between rivals Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic. The girls will play at 5:45 p.m., with the boys to follow at 7:30 p.m. Alameno was a native of Wildwood Crest and graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

Battle at the Boards begins with a contest between two local rivals as Cape May Tech faces Lower Cape May in a boys game at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., Lower Cape May’s girls team will take on John W. Hallahan of the Philadelphia Catholic League. Hallahan is coached by former Lower Cape May Regional star Stephanie Agger.

Two boys showcase games will be played in the mid to late afternoon. At 2:15 p.m., Atlantic Christian will face Burlington County Institute of Technology. At 4:30 p.m., defending Group IV state champion and Cape-Atlantic League champion Atlantic City will battle Archbishop Wood, a Philadelphia Catholic League power.

All Battle at the Boards games will be played on Court A (East Hall) at the Convention Center.

Tickets for the event are $7 for adults, $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are good for the entire day. Boardwalk Classic all-tournament passes will not be accepted for the Battle at the Boards.

Like the rest of the Boardwalk Basketball Classic, all proceeds from the Battle at the Boards showcase event go toward college scholarship money for graduating seniors at Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic high schools, the joint hosts of the Boardwalk Basketball Classic.

For further information about the Crest Savings Bank Battle at the Boards or the entire Boardwalk Basketball Classic, log on to www.bbclassic.net.Crest Savings Bank Battle at the Boards Schedule

SATURDAY, DEC. 22
All games on Court A (East Hall) at the Wildwoods Convention Center
11 a.m. – Boys: Lower Cape May vs. Cape May Tech
12:30 p.m. – Girls: John W. Hallahan (PA) vs. Lower Cape May
2:15 p.m. – Boys: Atlantic Christian vs. Burlington County Institute of Technology
4 p.m. – Boys: Archbishop Wood (PA) vs. Atlantic City
5:45 p.m. – Andrew Alameno Memorial Girls Island Championship Game: Wildwood Catholic vs. Wildwood
7:30 p.m. – Andrew Alameno Memorial Boys Island Championship Game: Wildwood Catholic vs. Wildwood

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
5 pm – Boardwalk Classic Boys Showcase Game: Friends Central (PA) vs. Murrell Dobbins Tech (PA)
6:30 pm – Dave Lewis Memorial Boys Bracket: Mount Olive vs. Cape May Tech
8 pm – Dave Lewis Memorial Boys Bracket: Collingswood vs. Oakcrest

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
11 am – Ernie Troiano Sr. Memorial Boys Bracket: Absegami vs. Cherokee
12:30 pm – Ernie Troiano Sr. Memorial Boys Bracket: Woodbury vs. Cedar Creek
2:15 p.m. – Boys Showcase Game: Murrell Dobbins Tech (PA) vs. Shawnee
3:45 pm – Dave Lewis Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
5:30 pm – Dave Lewis Memorial Boys Bracket Championship
7 pm – William “Chickie” Ludman Memorial Boys Bracket: Montgomery Blair (MD) vs. Middle Township
8:30 pm – William “Chickie” Ludman Memorial Boys Bracket: Central Bucks West (PA) vs. Washington Township

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
11 am – Boardwalk Classic Boys Showcase Game: Shawnee vs. Friends Central (PA)
12:30 pm – Ernie Troiano Sr. Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
2:15 pm – Ernie Troiano Sr. Memorial Boys Bracket Championship
3:45 pm – William “Chickie” Ludman Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
5:30 pm – William “Chickie” Ludman Memorial Boys Bracket Championship
7 pm – Bill Osborn Memorial Boys Bracket: Pleasantville vs. Wildwood
8:30 pm – Bill Osborn Memorial Boys Bracket: Lower Cape May vs. Wilmington Christian (DE)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29
11 am – Jay Craven Memorial Boys Bracket: Atlantic County Institute of Technology vs. Vineland
12:30 pm – Jay Craven Memorial Boys Bracket: Bristol (PA) vs. Ocean City
2:15 pm – Frank McAlarnen Memorial Boys Bracket: Central Bucks East (PA) vs. Wildwood Catholic
3:45 pm – Frank McAlarnen Memorial Boys Bracket: Penns Grove vs. Mainland
5:30 pm – Bill Osborn Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
7 pm – Bill Osborn Memorial Boys Bracket Championship

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30
10:15 am – Jay Craven Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
11:45 am – Jay Craven Memorial Boys Bracket Championship
1:30 pm – Frank McAlarnen Memorial Boys Bracket Consolation
3 pm – Frank McAlarnen Boys Bracket Championship

(Building will be cleared immediately following the 3pm game)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30
Bob Hurley Elite Showcase Game (Separate admission charge of $10 for both games - no tournament passes accepted)
6:30 pm – Bob Hurley Elite Showcase Game: Math, Civics & Sciences Charter (PA) vs. Murrell Dobbins Tech (PA)
8:15 pm – Bob Hurley Elite Showcase Game: Camden vs. St. Anthony

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