LEE COUNTY, Florida — The highly anticipated annual Holiday Hoopfest is undergoing a significant venue change after a decade. Transitioning from its previous location at Golden Gate High School, the basketball event has now moved north to Bishop Verot.
“After coaching basketball for 17 years, I enjoyed hosting tournaments. Now, as an athletic director, I was eager to bring a tournament back to Verot,” expressed Greg Coleman, the Athletic Director at Bishop Verot.
Established in Collier County in 1996 as the Gulfshore Hoopfest at Barron Collier, this tournament has consistently featured top-tier high school basketball talent.
“It’s a reputable high school basketball tournament,” mentioned Coleman. “It has maintained its quality for many years, and we aimed to organize a strong, authentic high school tournament.”
Scheduled during the Christmas break, the Holiday Hoopfest seamlessly merges two beloved holiday traditions: family gatherings and basketball.
“The holidays are a time for family bonding,” shared Gavin Williams, a junior guard at Bishop Verot. “But it’s also an opportunity to engage in basketball. It’s truly a blessing.”
“My teammates are like family,” expressed Musa Fullen, a power forward from Port Charlotte. “Since my family couldn’t attend, their support means a lot to me, and I consider them as my extended family.”
This is not the first time the Vikings have hosted such events. Verot has a long history of organizing holiday tournaments, previously hosting the City of Palms Classic for 22 years before it relocated to Suncoast Credit Union Arena in 2015.
This week, 16 teams, including the Vikings, are competing for victory at the John J Nevins gym. Out of the 12 teams from Florida, seven are from Southwest Florida – Bishop Verot, Port Charlotte, Naples, Fort Myers, Charlotte, Lehigh, and Golden Gate.
Day 3 Hoopfest Schedule:
Semifinal matchups start at 7:30pm – @LAMensBBall vs @RhswarriorH and 9:15pm – @VerotHoops vs @EvansHS_Hoops
Consolation games kick off at 9am
Exciting basketball action continues at Bishop Verot! @nphssports @RokBaller @PickuptheBall_ @Bigdaugbball pic.twitter.com/jruUP4pCCx
— Holiday Hoopfest @ Bishop Verot High (@holidayhoopfest) December 29, 2023
“It’s exciting to compete against teams from various parts of Florida. Facing off against teams outside our region enhances the overall experience,” shared Fullen.
Some teams traveled from multiple states to Fort Myers, arriving from Chicago, South Carolina, and two teams from Ohio.
“It’s interesting to witness the playing style of teams from different states,” remarked Williams. “Each state has its unique basketball culture. Experiencing this diversity is quite fascinating.”
All teams share a common objective: concluding 2023 on a high note and kicking off the new year with a coveted championship title.
The Holiday Hoopfest continues on Friday, with the championship games wrapping up on Saturday, December 30.