Curry Hicks Cage to once again host Pioneer Valley Tip-Off

Date: 12/4/2014

AMHERST – The Pioneer Valley Tip-Off is making its way back to the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s (UMass) Curry Hicks Cage for a third year.

What once started as a local, eight-team tournament has quickly grown into a 22-team regional showcase that will be played on Dec. 13 and 14, which is the first weekend of the 2014-2015 high school basketball season. Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, the event will feature 11 games over two days.

Headlining the showcase field are Springfield powerhouses Central High School and Putnam Vocational, both of which took home state champion titles between the 2012 to 2014 seasons.

Central will match up against Pittsfield High School and back-to-back state champions Putnam Vocational will face Fitchburg High in the showcase’s premiere game. Also, district semi-finalist St. Peter Marian High School will be facing Cathedral High School. Recent state finalist Smith Academy will match up against rival Hopkins Academy as well.

The field contains classic Western Massachusetts basketball rivalries – Amherst vs. Northampton and Smith Academy vs. Hopkins Academy – and other notable Western Massachusetts talent. The showcase also has 15 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) playoff teams from last season.

The showcase, working with Amherst-Pelham Regional High School (the MIAA sponsor), is operated by UMass students in the revered Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management, located in the Isenberg School of Management – UMass’ competitive business program.

The event also aims to raise money for cancer awareness and has partnered with the prominent basketball charity, Coaches vs. Cancer, for a third year. Several fundraisers including prize raffles and donation tables will be on-site during the games to contribute to the fight against cancer. Our goal is to continue to add value to the fan experience and the exposure of our corporate partners so that the showcase is a great event for all parties involved.

Noon: St. Peter-Marian versus Springfield Cathedral;
1:30 p.m.: Fitchburg versus Putnam Vocational;
3 p.m.: South Hadley versus Granby;
4:30 p.m.: Smith Academy versus Hopkins Academy;
6 p.m.: Amherst-Pelham versus Frontier Regional (Girls);
7:30 p.m.: Amherst-Pelham versus Northampton.

Noon: Hampshire Regional versus Renaissance;
1:30 p.m.: Pittsfield versus Springfield Central;
3 p.m.: Taconic versus Quabbin Regional;
4:30 p.m.: West Springfield versus Minnechaug Regional;
6 p.m.: Mahar Regional versus Belchertown.

For more information about the event and game day, visit www.pioneervalleytipoff.com, or email Patrick Sallet at pioneervalleybball@gmail.com with any questions.

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide program founded by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers athletic coaches, their teams, fans, and communities to save lives from cancer by participating in a variety of national and local events.

The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to raise awareness and funds to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. Coaches host fundraising events such as tip-off breakfasts, galas and local golf events; promote healthy lifestyle messages; seek pledges from individuals and businesses to benefit the Society’s lifesaving work; meet with lawmakers to advocate for healthier communities, and more.