Wicomico County is expanding its role in youth basketball with two tournaments coming to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center this summer.
The new DMVelite Rise Basketball Tournament will take place June 24-26 and the AAU 8U Boys Basketball National Championships are set for July 5-10.
“We are very excited with the lineup of youth basketball events that will take place this summer in Wicomico County,” said James Simmons, assistant tourism manager for Wicomico County. “We feel that these events have tremendous growth potential and that we will be able to help to not only grow them, but add more to the calendar year round in basketball and many other sports as well.”
The DMVelite Rise Basketball Tournament is put on by DMVelite Showcase Events and Wicomico County. In its first year, more than 40 boys basketball teams with players in eighth to 11th grade will participate. Teams will come to Wicomico County from as far away as Canada and North Carolina.
Scouts and college coaches are expected to attend.
“The energy, competition level and exposure at our events is top-notch and we feel that the area and local basketball community is a perfect fit for this newly-created event,” said Chris Lawson, director/promoter for DMVelite Showcase Events.
The Amateur Athletic Union 8U Boys Basketball National Championships will bring qualifying teams from all over the country to compete in Wicomico County. This will be the first basketball national championship held in the Maryland AAU District and will feature teams with the likes of the son of former University of Maryland men’s basketball star and national champion Juan Dixon.
“This event is making history for the Maryland District of AAU and we are thrilled to host the National Championships here in the state of Maryland,” said Ben Dubose, governor of the Maryland District of AAU and sports director for Boys Basketball. “The 8 and under division represents the grassroots of AAU basketball and the foundation of the sport. It’s not just about the competition; we want our teams to have fun and create memories that will last for years to come. We have chosen a great destination for our participants and their families and we know that they will enjoy their time on the Eastern Shore.”
Daily admission and weeklong passes will be sold on site at each event. These events join the award-winning Governor’s Challenge holiday basketball tournament on Wicomico County’s roster of youth basketball events.
For more information, visit www.DMVelite.com or www.marylandaau.com.
