Tipoff Weekend Opens HS Basketball Season

The 14^th annual Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend happens this weekend at the Dixie Howell Memorial Gymnasium with a doubleheader.

Four defending South Jersey champions will be in action. On Saturday at 7pm, defending state Non-Public A champion St. Augustine Prep will meet three-time defending South Jersey Group 3 champion Kingsway.

On Sunday, defending South Jersey boys Group 4 champion Shawnee will play Atlantic City at 3:30 in a continuation of a series between the two schools that has produced many great games. Right after that game, the Ocean City girls, defending South Jersey Group 3 champions, will face Willingboro.

Also, the Atlantic Christian girls, defending National Christian School champions, will play Sacred Heart on Saturday. And, in the girl-boy doubleheader between Mainland and Cedar Creek on Sunday, Cedar Creek girls coach Fran Raph will coach against her alma mater and the Pirates’ boys coach, Pgil Schaffer, will return to the OCHS gym which was his home during his high school career.

Tipoff Weekend spotlights the Cape-Atlantic League, featuring CAL teams against some of the best teams in New Jersey. This year there are also four “crossover” games, where CAL teams from one conference face teams from another conference.

In addition to coming together for some good basketball to get the season started, each of the participating teams brings non-perishable food items and toys that are distributed throughout the area to those in need.

Fans can see all five games each day for a single daily admission price of just $6.00. More information about the event is available at PrimeEvents.net.

In addition to the Ocean City PBA, the event is also sponsored by Shore Medical Center, Ocean City Home Bank, Thomas Heist Insurance, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, City of Ocean City, Sheriff Gary Schaffer and Schoppy.com.

14^th Annual Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Noon SACRED HEART Girls vs ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN

1:45pm BRIDGETON Boys vs ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN

3:30pm MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Girls vs ATLANTIC CITY

5:15pm WILDWOOD CATHOLIC Boys vs WILLINGBORO

7:00pm ST. AUGUSTINE Boys vs KINGSWAY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Noon MAINLAND Girls vs CEDAR CREEK

1:45pm MAINLAND Boys vs CEDAR CREEK

3:30pm ATLANTIC CITY Boys vs SHAWNEE

5:15pm OCEAN CITY Girls vs WILLINGBORO