WEBSTER BANK ARENA HOSTS PORTER AND CHESTER HARBOR YARD CLASSIC

Basketball tournament gets new name, new look

 

By MICHAEL FOLEY

BRIDGEPORT – Webster Bank Arena will host the Harbor Yard Classic basketball tournament on Monday, January 30^th, 2012, sponsored by Porter and Chester Institute. The tournament, formerly known as the Bridgeport Classic, will feature Bridgeport’s Harding High School, Bassick High School and Central High School; and St. Joseph High School in Trumbull.

“For over 30 years, students from the Bridgeport high schools have made up a significant percentage of our enrollment. With several students past and present that have played in the Classic, we are proud to support the Harbor Yard Classic, the high schools and the community,” John Goldbeck, campus director for Porter and Chester Institute, said.

The tournament will feature two female teams for the first time, Central and Harding.

The girls’ teams play at 4 p.m. The Harding and Central boys teams play at 6 p.m., followed by Bassick and St. Joseph at 8 p.m. All games are part of the conference schedules.

Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for students and senior citizens. All games are included. Tickets are available at Webster Bank Arena’s Click It or Ticket Box Office.

Undefeated St. Joseph is the state’s top boys basketball team, according to the New Haven Register Top 10 Poll.

“We’re committed to presenting the best in high school sports,” said Howard Saffan, president of Harbor Yard Sports and Entertainment, which manages Webster Bank Arena.

The arena recently hosted the Northeast Christmas Classic basketball tournament and the New Year’s Eve High School Hockey Face Off tournament.

The Porter and Chester Institute Harbor Yard Classic has been one of the region’s most popular sporting events for years.

“Bridgeport has a rich tradition of high school basketball. The Harbor Yard Classic is an excellent opportunity to celebrate that tradition and provide today’s student athletes with a chance to perform on the grand stage of Webster Bank Arena,” Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said.