Hoop Hall Classic brings teams from across northeast to Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield College played host to the Army National Guard Hoop Hall Classic on this weekend.

The tournament featured programs from nine states across the northeast and was played at seven different sites in the city. Now in its 23rd year, the classic has cemented itself as the top high school basketball showcase of the season. Greg Procino, vice president of external events at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, told us more about the specific event at Springfield College. “The top teams and players from around the country, national television, tickets are sold out for tonight and tomorrow night,” he said

Procino also talked about the impact the tournament has on local businesses and the local economy. ”...but what we’ve been able to do also is create ancillary events that are driving additional people coming to play...that are filling hotel rooms, spending money in Springfield, and coming to the Hall of Fame,” he noted.

The five-day slate of events, that started on January 16, is expected to generate over $10 million in economic impact for the local community.