Ocean City tourney offers weekend of hoops

The South Jersey boys' and girls' basketball seasons begin tomorrow, followed by the Ocean City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Tipoff Weekend.

Now in its 11th year, the event will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Dixie Howell Memorial Gymnasium at Ocean City High.

This year's event, being presented in association with the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, will feature four games Saturday and five Sunday. There will be four girls' basketball games and five boys' contests over the two days.

2 p.m. - Mainland girls vs. Middle Township

3:45 p.m. - Bridgeton boys vs. Willingboro

5:30 p.m. - Ocean City girls vs. Willingboro

7:15 p.m. - Ocean City boys vs. Lower Cape May

Noon - Mainland boys vs. Pleasantville

1:45 p.m. - Absegami girls vs. Holy Spirit

3:30 p.m. - Absegami boys vs. Holy Spirit

5:15 p.m. - Atlantic City girls vs. Shawnee

7:00 p.m. - Atlantic City boys vs. Shawnee

A highly anticipated game will be the final one Sunday between defending South Jersey Group 4 boys' champion Atlantic City and Shawnee.

Atlantic City will be among the favorites again in Group 4. Shawnee has a young team, but most expect the Renegades to contend in Group 3.

On Saturday, one of the key games will feature defending South Jersey Group 3 girls' champion Ocean City, against Willingboro.

Another recent tradition is for the players from the participating teams to bring toys and non-perishable food items to Tipoff Weekend. Those items will be distributed within the community by the PBA.

- Marc Narducci