Area teams get ready for Heartland Hoops Classic

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by News 5 Sports

Story Created: Feb 8, 2013 at 6:41 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2013 at 8:01 PM CDT

Some of the teams that play Friday night turn right around and play Saturday in the much anticipated Heartland Hoops Classic in Grand Island at the Heartland Events Center.

We'll not only see some of the area's best local talent, but perhaps some of the best players in the nation.

Though an exciting night of basketball for us is already underway much of Saturday's action shifts to the Heartland Events Center for the sixth annual Heartland Hoops Classic.

Eight games starting at 8:30 in the morning and continuing all the way to the final contest at 9:00 at night will keep the floor busy, and tournament director Tino Martinez hopes, the stands crowded.

"Looking forward to it, I think the buzz around, at least in our community, has been good so I think it's going to be well received and I think it will be a great day of basketball for people," said Tino Martinez.

We'll see area teams like Kearney Catholic play, Northwest and GICC take on Sutton, but this seasons' huge attraction will match the nation's #1 team from last year, Oak Hill Academy of Virginia against defending Nebraska state champion Omaha Central. That game is the 8th and final contest of Saturday night.

Heartland Lutheran coach Lloyd Wagnitz who sends is team into action in the first game Saturday morning against High Plains after a trip to Burwell Friday night, will definitely come back and see that.

"Absolutely, they already are talking about it, get there three games early and that way they can make sure they have a good seat so yeah-we're looking forward to it," said Wagnitz.

As far as getting the Oak Hill Academy team to come here, Tino said they are a team happy to come here and used to traveling.

"They finished last year as the national champion, 44-0 or 41-0, took a 2 week trip to China after the season with his team and finished with some of the national teams," Martinez said.

Just what will we see on the floor from the Oak Hill team whom have had such NBA superstars as Carmello Anthony and Rajon Rondo play for them? Some pretty good players.

"They have a guy that's signed with Indiana, they've got one with South Carolina, a guy going to Washington State, just had a commit over the weekend commit to DePaul," said Martinez.

So can the Omaha Central team give that Virginia team a game Saturday? They are no stranger to good competition.

"I really think they can, they went to Florida and competed well, actually probably should have won all 3 games as it turned out, had a chance anyway," said Martinez.

All in all to have a basketball day like this can do nothing but help Grand Island and Nebraska.

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