COAL TOWNSHIP - Plans for the ninth annual Salvation Army Adult Benefit Basketball Tournament were finalized during a meeting of the Salvation Army Advisory Board Thursday night in the headquarters at 1300 W. Spruce St.
Chris Venna, Shamokin Area High School principal, and Brian Persing, member of the Shamokin Area School Board, both members of the advisory board and tournament co-chairmen, announced the tourney will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 13, 14 and 15, at Shamokin Area High School gymnasium.
Entrance fee is $125. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) officials will work all games on a volunteer basis. Dwayne Scicchitano, of Shamokin Area Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials, is tourney assigner.
Teams interested in participating are asked to conact Venna at 205-1144 or cvenna@indians.k12.pa.us.
The tournament will be a double-elimination event. Teams with one loss will still be able to make finals. The top two teams from the previous year's tournament, will automatically be placed on opposite sides of the bracket (seeded 1 and 2).
PIAA rules will be followed unless specifically noted.
Games will consist of two 10-minute halves. The clock will run continuously except for the last two minutes of each half or if the score differential is greater than 20 points.
All teams must have the same uniform tops with numbers.
Any player or spectator receiving an unsportsmanlike technical foul will be required to leave the premises and will not be able to return or play for the remainder of the tournament. Players must be high school varsity level or older to partipate.
In order to participate on Sunday, the player must have participated in at least one game on the first or second day (Friday or Saturday) of the tournament.
EMM Mortgage of Harrisburg has won the tournament championship the last three years. The Greyhounds were runners-up.
Trophies will be awarded to the top teams immediately following the championship games.
Tournament officials, along with Salvation Army personnel, expressed their appreciation to Shamokin Area School Board and administration for use of the high school facilities. They also commended PIAA basketball officials for volunteering their services, making the tournament possible.
All proceeds benefit charitable activities of the Salvation Army, helping many people in area communities.
There will be a "50-50" drawing throughout the three-day event. A concession stand will also be available.
In other business, Judy Orner, Salvation Army official, reported the Salvation Army Thrift Store continues to be very successful with its bargain days.
Attending the meeting in addition to Venna, Persing and Orner, were Violette Feudale, Harry Deitz, Ned Sodrick, Lois McCormick and Paul Metrocavage.