Hub City Classic moves to Liberty this week

A Jackson holiday tradition continues this week, but in a new place as the Hub City Classic basketball tournament moves to Liberty Tech High School.

The tournament, which is the second-biggest fundraiser of the year for Area Relief Ministries, had been played at Oman Arena since its inception in 2013.

As ownership of the arena transitioned this year from the City of Jackson to Jackson-Madison County Schools, JMCSS is transitioning the facility for upcoming upgrades.

“But that’s OK,” said Fred McKinnie with Area Relief Ministries, who coordinates the tournament. “We’re appreciative of the school system for letting us use Liberty’s gym for the tournament.”

The week will consist of two eight-team tournaments in which all eight teams will play three games, one a day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Girls’ teams playing are Liberty, Jackson Central-Merry, North Side, Crockett County, Corinth (Miss.), McNairy Central, Memphis Mitchell and Gleason.

The boys’ tournament is made of North Side, Liberty, JCM, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Corinth (Miss.), Crockett County, Ripley and Humboldt.

Eight games will be played each day with the first game tipping off at 9 a.m. and the final game each day tipping at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for tournament are $10 for a full day’s pass. Three-day passes will be available on Wednesday for $27.

“This is a busy week but a fun one,” McKinnie said. “Who doesn’t love watching basketball this time of year?

“And all funds raised are going to help people in Jackson that really need it because they have nowhere to go, and a lot of times, Area Relief Ministries are who they turn to. So this helps us to be able to help them.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news