Steel City Invitational at Samford this month

The second Steel City Invitational boys basketball tournament will be held Dec. 19-22 at Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center.

Host school Mountain Brook, a two-time state champion, and Hoover headline the 16-team field, which includes schools from the Birmingham area and teams from across the state. Three of last year’s state championship teams are in the field — Mountain Brook, Parker and Midfield. Several others were Final 48 participants.

The tournament is a three-day, four-round affair with winners and losers brackets. Games begin Friday, and the semifinals will be on Saturday. Sunday will be an off day, and the championship will be Monday. 

The Birmingham Tip Off Club is the sponsor of the event, which is managed by Knight Eady Sports Group.

 “The Birmingham Tip Off Club is proud to host what is quickly becoming the premier high school basketball event in the state and one of the top tournaments in the Southeast,” said Hunter Strickler, president of the club. “The feedback we received last year from players, fans and coaches was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re looking forward to an even stronger and more exciting field this year.”

The field includes Birmingham-area schools Mountain Brook, Hoover, Clay-Chalkville, Bessemer City, Parker, Wenonah, Ramsay, Midfield and Fairfield. State schools include Cullman, Tuscaloosa County, Bibb County, Faith Academy, Theodore, Grissom and J.O. Johnson.

The semifinals and championships will be televised by Sinclair Broadcasting, which owns both WABM My68 and ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. My68 will broadcast the games in Birmingham.

 “We are excited about partnering with the Steel City Invitational and broadcasting the semifinals and championship game of the tournament,” said J.C. Lowe, general manager of WABM.  “This is a great opportunity for fans to watch a talented field of teams battling for a championship.”

Brackets had not been set at deadline for this article. Updated information can be found at steelcityhoops.com. The tournament also has its own Facebook page at facebook.com/SteelCityInvitational.

Tickets can be purchased online through Preptix. Adult ticket books are $25. Student/youth (ages 6-18) ticket books are $15. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.