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16th Annual JV Holiday
Classic Gearing up for
Another Big Event!
The 16th Annual Bank of
the Carolinas JV Holiday
Classic has become the
largest JV tournament in the
United States with 50 teams
participating this year. The
tournament is being held
on December 26, 27, & 29,
2014 at one of 4 locations
throughout Randolph
County. The sites are:
Randolph-Asheboro YMCA,
Southwestern Randolph
High School, Southwestern
Randolph Middle School,
and Randleman High School.
The brackets are divided up
based on school size and
talent level which allow the
majority of the games to be competitive. There will be 4 JV
boys’ champions crowned as well as 3 JV girls’ champions at
the conclusion of the 3 days.
The tournament was started in 1999 with only 7 teams (4
boys and 3 girls) and has continued to host many teams
throughout the years. David Cross, Randolph County
Market President at Bank of the Carolinas, serves as
tournament director along with Patrick O’Hara, executive
director of the YMCA, and Joe Taureck,YMCA Youth & Adult
Sports Director. A key to the success of the tournament
is the organization and planning that goes into the event
throughout the year as well as the excellent job the
tournament workers do. “Working at the tournament 12
hours a day for 3 days is simply exhausting” said Cross,
“and we could not put on an event of this size without their
help. Suggestions for improving the tournament are made
by coaches from year to year, and those improvements
are implemented whenever possible. Also, the prestige of
winning the tournament has also grown. “In the first few
years, coaches would ask if wearing practice jerseys would
suffice because they looked at it as just a scrimmage,” said
Cross. “Now, most teams are practicing during the holiday
season in order to get ready for the tournament.”
The tournament field this year will represent 33 schools
from 11 counties across North Carolina. Between players,
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Asheboro Magazine, Issue 51
coaches, cheerleaders, and fans, attendance is expected to
be strong over the 3 day event. Because of the size and
prestige the tournament has attained, the event now has
a very positive impact on the Randolph County economy.
Several teams have to spend the night while they are here,
and almost all of the teams, as well as their parents, go out
to eat after their games. In addition, several players and
parents will visit the local attractions in the area such as the
N.C. Zoo and the many pottery shops the county features.
Local leaders and businesses now realize how important
this event is to the local economy which has made obtaining
sponsorships much easier over the last few years. In
addition to the positive economic impact, all funds raised
go toward the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA scholarship fund.
This money allows the Y to continue their philosophy of
turning no one away as a member due to their lack of ability
to pay. The YMCA provides a safe haven for many families
to exercise together, and the JV Holiday Classic provides a
portion of the funds needed for scholarships throughout
the year. “I do not know if it is coincidence or not, but I
have always been within walking distance of the YMCA in all
3 cities in which I have lived,” says Cross. “I have a passion
for this organization because I know how much good they
do in their local communities. That is why I enjoy running
this tournament so much.”
To view tournament brackets, go to www.
randolphasheboroymca.com and then click on the JV
Tournament link at the top of the page. Admission Prices
are $7/day for Adults and $6/day for