Seven SVC teams set Dec. 10 at new arena

The Youngstown Convocation Center will host four high school games.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Seven Steel Valley Conference boys varsity basketball teams will participate in the first high school athletic event at the Youngstown Convocation Center.
The Youngstown/Warren Holiday Basketball Classic will feature four varsity games Dec. 10 beginning at 2 p.m.
General admission tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for students.
"We are excited to have this event and hope to do more like it," said Jeff Kossow, Convocation Center executive director. "One of the things that we always hope to do here at the Convocation Center is bring a myriad of events.
"This will be our first basketball [games] and we're incredibly excited about the fact that it's going to be Youngstown, Warren [teams]," Kossow said. "We hope all the students are going to have a great time."
The lineup
The lineup has: Warren JFK vs. Western Reserve Academy of Hudson at 2 p.m.; Rayen vs. Mooney at 4 p.m.; Wilson vs. Warren Harding at 6 p.m.; and Chaney vs. Ursuline at 8 p.m.
"I'm excited for the students," said Dr. Wendy Webb, Youngstown schools superintendent, "because this is the kind of energy that we need behind our urban districts.
"This is so much more than just sports," Dr. Webb said. "Our students deserve to have these types of opportunities as well.
"This type of event supports academics, believe it or not," Dr. Webb said. "Experiences build vocabulary. This will build healthy, competitive spirit."
Kossow said the arena rental for the high school event is between $2,500 and $3,500. The normal fee for an arena event is $4,500.
Area sponsors
The Youngstown/Warren Basketball Classic is being sponsored by: Harrington, Hoppe & amp; Mitchell, Attorneys at Law; Hill, Barth & amp; King; Marucci & amp; Gaffney Excavating Company; Ricciuti, Balog & amp; Partners Architects; and Sky Bank.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the area schools.
The basketball event will be the first non-hockey sports event at the arena. Kossow said the Youngstown SteelHounds' sports exclusivity rights only covers professional sports.
Tickets are on sale at the participating schools, the Convocation Center box office, Skate Zone in Austintown and USA Cinema in Niles. For more information, call 866-443-8849.