HOLIDAY CLASSIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Top basketball teams from Québec, Ontario and the Northeast US compete in our annual showcase.
December 13,14,15 2024
THE SUN YOUTH
HOLIDAY CLASSIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
DECEMBER 13,14,15 2024
RESULTS
The 43rd Sun Youth Basketball Holiday Classic, held December 2024, was a success on many levels, featuring teams from the US and Quebec in a showcase-style event. With the spotlight shining on the players and the organization, plenty of tightly-contested games let fans get a taste of the next generation of collegiate stars in action.
Having athletes competing in front of big crowds, university coaches and scouts is only one objective of our showcase: we want it to be the platform to reconnect with our basketball alumni, while highlighting Sun Youth basketball and our charity work.
It was special to see former Hornet players and coaches Dawson D2’s Rodney Skerritt, Lennoxville Prep’s Djibril Ngom, the Vanier D2 staff of Andrew Hertzog, Scott Mawhinne, Craig O’Brien and Ernie Rosa, and McGill University coach John Dangelas with Helisis Prep, leading their teams. Sun Youth alumni and Concordia University coaches Rastko Popovic, Damien Buckley, and Laval University’s (and defending National Champion) Nathan Grant were looking out for possible future additions to their squads.
Success can be measured in a lot of ways; that these men use their talents at another level to mentor, guide and coach young athletes is the biggest win in our books.
It wasn’t just our coaching alums shining bright: our Hornet Juvenile boys team got the tournament rolling at CEGEP Jean-de Brebeuf in the curtain-raiser, then doing battle with Selwyn House on the latter’s home floor, the venue for day 2. A younger generation of Sun Youth kids still playing counted Dawson’s Don Mansaya, Helisis Prep’s Andrew Dangelas, Vanier’s Lucas Ryan and Julian Rosa and Helisis Prep’s Lucas Bayne – the last two sons of current alum, adding a layer of legacy.
Current Hornets, boys and girls 8-17, energized everyone by volunteering, interacting with fans, refs, players, and coaches. It’s a perfect blend of hard work and fun for the kids – plus, we hope, exciting to see many former Hornets involved.
The quality of the basketball was amazing. In addition to the teams mentioned previously, St Thomas More and Bridgton Academy brought state-side cred to the court, while CEGEPs Jean-de-Brebeuf – led by Sun Youth basketball coordinator Mike Chmielewski – John Abbott, Champlain St Lambert, Edouard Montpetit, and prep and Hoop Empire provided stiff competition.
SPONSORS and donors
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event a success:
• The teams who participated and created so many memories;
• Our generous sponsors: The Lengvari Foundation, Marathon Souvlaki, TJ Printing, Bunsbuns food truck, and the Montreal Alliance;
• Cegep Brébeuf and Selwyn House for hosting the event;
• The dedicated volunteers, including the Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referee Association, our physios Kim Tanyag, Jennifer Nwankwo, and Beatrice Levesque, and volunteer coordinator Katharina Kent;
• And finally, our passionate fans—players, coaches, parents, and community members.
ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT
The Holiday Classic is an opportunity for Sun Youth basketball players to make their mark by competing against the best teams from Quebec, Canada, the United States (including legendary teams like the Riverside Church Hawks (NYC) and Vermont Academy) and abroad (the U19 Chinese National Team).
Over the last 43 years, the tournament has become a premier event for showcasing young Canadian talent, creating buzz and attracting several recruiters and coaches from the NCAA and USports. Some of our past tournament alumni include Andrew Wiggins, Bruce Brown and Samuel Delambert. Sun Youth’s own Eze Dike-Nwagbara has just graduated from Yale University; Nathan Grant is now HeadCoach of Laval University Men’s team, and Maurice Joseph was the head coach of George Washington University’s team.
Photo: Bruce Brown at the 2015 Holiday Classic. His team, the Vermont Academy, won the tournament. Bruce now plays in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons.
Click here to see Bruce’s highlights at the 2015 Tournament.
MEDIA GALLERY
Photos in this gallery were taken during past Holiday Classic tournaments.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE REFEREES OF THE MMBRA ASSOCIATION
Without their collaboration, this tournament would be impossible!
