Dick’s looks to score with hoops tourney

Basketball season is just now getting underway but next spring when top high school teams square off at a tournament in New York Dick’s Sporting Goods will be there as title sponsor of the event.



For the second consecutive year, Dicks will serve as title sponsor of the event to be held April 2-4, 2015 and televised on ESPN networks.



"We are excited to continue our support of high school basketball across the country by sponsoring the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals Tournament again in 2015," said Lauren Hobart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Dick’s. "Last year's event was a tremendous success, and we look forward to seeing the best high school basketball teams in the country compete again next spring."



The premise of a high school basketball tournament to determine a national champion was created in 2009 by Paragon Marketing Group. Originally launched as The National High School Invitational (NHSI) at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda, Md., the event is intended to serve as a season-ending platform for top, nationally-ranked high school basketball teams to compete against one another in a tournament.



The tournament begins on April 2 and involves eight boy’s high school teams and four girl’s teams. The championship game will be played at Madison Square Garden.



"Having the opportunity to perform on the most famous court in the world is a moment these young athletes will never forget,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president of MSG Sports.