LANSING, Ill. (February 25, 2019) – The tenth annual Roundball Classic began on Thursday, February 21, with fifth-grade boys basketball teams from Coolidge, Heritage, Lansing Christian, Oak Glen, Reavis, and St. Ann Schools competing. The tournament continued on Friday night and Saturday, and the championship game will be played on Tuesday.
The photos below are from the Friday night match-ups involving Coolidge, Heritage, Lansing Christian, Oak Glen, and Reavis teams.Lansing Christian faced off against Oak Glen in Friday night’s first game. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Lansing Christian’s Xavier Greene (14) and Oak Glen’s Blake Sims (12) chase down the ball. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Both teams run down the court as Lansing Christian’s Isaac Ipema (12) drives toward the basket on a fast break. Ipema was named the game MVP in a 15-14 Lansing Christian victory, and Blake Sims got the MVP nod for Oak Glen. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Heritage’s Robert Gillard dribbles the ball, guarded by Ja’Vonte Burnett (44) of Reavis. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Heritage’s Jordan Coleman looks to pass while guarded by Damari Griffin (24) of Reavis. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Reavis’ Arthur Troup (15) takes the ball down the court, guarded by Corion Scott (1) of Heritage in their Friday night Roundball Tournament game at Memorial Junior High School. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Lansing Trustee Maureen Grady-Perovich presents game balls to MVPs Ross Whitt (55) of Heritage and Arthur Troup (15) of Reavis. Reavis came out on top of a 23-22 overtime decision in the Friday night game. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)The Coolidge Cougar was a fan favorite during Friday’s festivities. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Oak Glen’s Leonor Avila (3) is handed a ball during the girls’ halftime Hot Shot competition at Memorial Junior High School. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Coolidge’s Jasmine Arnold (55) takes her turn in the Hot Shot contest. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Jesssica Campuzano (13) of Oak Glen takes a shot during Friday night’s competition. Jessica will compete in the Hot Shot final against Lansing Christian’s Savannah Thomas on Tuesday. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Reavis’ Mikayla Haggard (21) eyes the basket during her turn in the Hot Shot contest. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Cheerleaders from all teams took to the court during halftime to support the Hot Shot competitors. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)The first-ever Hot Shot Champion, Cameron Fernandez, got back in the game on Friday night. Fernandez competed for Coolidge in the Roundball Tournament 10 years ago, and she stepped up to shoot again when there was an odd number of contestants during halftime of the Coolidge-Oak Glen game. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Oak Glen’s Stephen George (50) faces off against Joshua Bell (40) of Coolidge in the tip off of Friday’s third and final game. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Oak Glen’s Matthew Frazier (4) catches a pass at the top of the key. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)Coolidge’s Jaydon Longs (25) looks for a teammate in Friday’s contest against Oak Glen. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)The Oak Glen crowd cheers in the stands at Friday night’s Roundball Tournament game against Lansing Christian. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)
Donations from local businesses and individuals cover the costs of the tournament, and proceeds from ticket sales are donated to Lansing charities.
Championship festivities will begin at 6:30pm with an awards ceremony, and the basketball game between Coolidge and Heritage will begin at 7:00pm.
All games take place at Memorial Junior High school, 2721 Ridge Road in Lansing.
Ashlee De Wit is a freelance writer and a Lansing native. After starting her career covering high school sports in Iowa, she's excited to be back in her hometown, reporting the stories of her local community — such as the opening of Troost, the informal Lansing pickleball club, a TF South Homecoming game, and Common Ground, Lansing's experiment with healthy race relations.
