Nearly 70 teams are scheduled to travel to Carroll this weekend for the Chamber of Commerce’s 18th annual Court Classic, and businesses are preparing for an influx of over 2,000 players, coaches, families, and fans for the popular youth basketball tournament. Chamber Program Director Ashley Schable says attendance is way up from last year.
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The two-day tournament features over a hundred games with 3rd- 9th grade boys’ teams and 4th- 8th grade girls’ teams. Kurt Baumhover, who helped launch the Court Classic as chamber president when it was still known as Hoop It Up, says it is incredible to see how much the tournament has grown.
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Court Classic organizers say they always get questions from coaches and other tournament directors trying to figure out how Carroll manages to host such a huge youth basketball event with so many teams. Schable says Carroll is fortunate to have many quality gyms where games can be played, and she credits the City of Carroll and the community’s two school districts for being easy to work with.
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Games will be played across nine gyms in town, including the newly renovated Carroll Rec Center gymnasium. The Court Classic also boasts a roster of paid certified referees for all of their games, which is preferred by players, fans, and coaches when compared to many other similar tournaments. Baumhover says it is also a significant economic driver for the community over the weekend.
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Schable says a vital part of the tournament’s success every year is the number of volunteers, and they still need a few helping hands.
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Volunteer jobs range from helping teams find where they are going to ensuring game times are kept on schedule as closely as possible. People interested in volunteering are asked to reach out to the Chamber office directly at 712-792-4383. Games are slated all day on Saturday and Sunday, and local fans are encouraged to come watch. Wristbands are just $10 and get fans into all games this weekend.