18th Annual Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic

Tips Off Great High School Basketball on December 27, 28, 29, 30

The Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic is a Lowcountry tradition that showcases dynamic boys’ high school basketball. Traditionally, local teams vie for the event’s Championship against some best national and international players.

Besides providing exciting sports action at a new venue, North Charleston High School, on December 27-30, 2010, the tournament benefits Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area, Inc. and the Rotary Club of North Charleston’s Scholarship Fund. Since the event’s inception in 1993, dozens of Division I prospects, many of whom eventually play for major college programs, have participated in the Roundball Classic.  “Lowcountry basketball fans have a chance to see future college all-stars from high schools across the country, including some of our finest local talent,” said Tom McTighe, tournament director.

 “The Rotary Club of North Charleston is excited about its fifth year to partner with Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company, a Charleston business with more than 100 stores throughout South Carolina and southeastern Georgia, and with Communities In Schools, which helps nearly 6,000 local at-risk students stay in school and graduating on time,” McTighe added.

This year’s tournament features 16 teams, including ten local or other South Carolina schools: Bishop England High School, Charleston, SC; Charleston Collegiate School, Johns Island, SC; Don Bosco Preparatory School, Ramsey, NJ; Fort Dorchester High School, North Charleston, SC; Franklin County High School, Carnesville, GA; Gainesville High School, Gainesville, FL; Goose Creek High School, Goose Creek, SC, James Island High School, Charleston, SC; Manning High School, Manning, SC; North Charleston High School, North Charleston, SC; Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA; Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville, SC; Robert A. Taft Information Tech High School, Cincinnati, OH; St John's College High School, Washington, DC; Wando High School, Mt Pleasant, SC; West Ashley High School, Charleston, SC.

Communities In Schools is a nonprofit drop-out prevention organization that addresses factors outside of school which directly impact classroom performance. It serves both Charleston and Berkeley counties. “Our community is confronting a dropout crisis that affects us all,” said Jane Riley, Executive Director of CIS of the Charleston Area.  “The Roundball Classic has become a highly-anticipated treat during the holiday season, and knowing the North Charleston Rotary Club’s commitment to education, we are thrilled to be part of this tournament,” she added.

The North Charleston Rotary Club will celebrate its 65th birthday as the year ends, and the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic is one example of the club’s commitment to service. Proceeds from the tournament enable the Rotary Club to award college scholarships annually to area high school students. Other projects adopted by the club include distributing dictionaries to students in local elementary schools, raising money for national and international Rotary initiatives, and contributing to disaster relief efforts.

For more information on the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic, please visit the tournament website at www.RoundballClassic.com.  For information on how to provide volunteer or financial support for Communities In Schools, call (843) 740-6793 or visit www.cischarleston.org.