VILLA HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC FEATURING THE TOP 8 HIGH
SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA /Including NYC's
#1 Player Jayvaughn Pinkston and Top Philly Guard Khyree Whooten/
-Sunday, January 3, 2009, noon to 8PM at St. Joseph's University-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) - December 7, 2009 - VILLA, the east coast's
leading urban retailer and community partner, will host its 3rd
Annual Holiday Classic, Sunday, January 3, 2010, noon-8PM at St.
Joseph's University, Township Line Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19096 -
showcasing 8 of the top high school basketball teams out of New York
and Pennsylvania. Co-sponsored by NIKE, the Holiday Classic features
the likes of Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) Power Forward and new
Villanova recruit Jayvaughn Pinkston, Strawberry Mansion's Guard
Khyree Wooten, and the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Boys AA State Champions,
Imhotep Charter High School.
VILLA's Holiday Classic was started as a way to promote not just
fanatic basketball playing, but to showcase young people who are
doing positive things. The Holiday Classic provides an opportunity
for these players to connect with other young people in the
community, share their personal stories, and offer encouragement -
showing them what happens when you choose to excel. What's more, the
Holiday Classic is a cost-effective event that allows parents to
bring their children out for a day of family fun.
Previous VILLA Holiday Classics have included the first ever match
up between Philadelphia schools Neumann-Goretti and Prep Charter, and
the Sacramento Kings's Tyreke Evans-lead team at American Christian
Academy. This is the first year the Holiday Classic is being hosted
at St. Joseph's University, with attendance to top past figures of
3000-3500. Even more, the 3rd Annual Holiday Classic is the first
time Jayvaughn Pinkston will be playing in a Philadelphia tournament
of this kind.
_This year's matchups:_
NOON
Friend’s Central (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Phelps (Malvern, Pa)
Friend’s Central is one of the best teams in the country. Last
year, the team made it to last year’s Inaugural National High
School Invitational with a record of 29 – 3.
Key Players:
Friends Central is led by Dominic Morris, Travis Robinson, and
Henry Gaskins—three seniors who have decided to sign with Boston
University to play college basketball together after this season.
Friends Central also has Devin Coleman and Amile Jefferson, the
latter being one of the top 20 H.S. Sophomore’s in the country.
Coaches:
Friends Central: Jason Polykoff
Phelps: Matt Scavitto
2:00 PM
Girard College (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Harrisburg (Harrisburg, Pa)
Last season, Girard College was Pennsylvania’s Boys A State
Champions. They face perennial Pennsylvania power house, Harrisburg
High School. Harrisburg High School is coached by legendary coach
Kirk Smallwood.
Key Players:
Girard College is led by a star studded backcourt duo, consisting
of Torrell Candelaria and University of Pittsburgh recruit John
Johnson. Harrisburg is lead by Center Brian Taylor. A classic size
(Harrisburg) vs. speed (Girard College) match up.
Coaches:
Girard College: Tyrone Morris
Harrisburg: Kirk Smallwood
4:00 PM
Imhotep Charter High School (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Bishop Loughlin
(Brooklyn, NY)
Last season, Imhotep was Pennsylvania’s Boys AA State Champions.
They face Brooklyn, NY’s Bishop Loughlin - one of NYC’s best
basketball teams.
Key Players:
Jayvaughn Pinkston (Bishop Loughlin) is the #1 NYC High School
basketball player. Jayvaughn Pinkston is a senior power forward, who
just declared Villanova for next season.
Coaches:
Imhotep Charter: Andre Noble
Bishop Loughlin: Ed Gonzalez
6:00 PM
North Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Strawberry Mansion
(Philadelphia, Pa)
This is North Catholic High School’s final season, as the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the school will cease
operations as of June 2010. North Catholic will face Strawberry
Mansion in a rematch of their game during the 1st VILLA Holiday
Classic - North Catholic 59 vs. Strawberry Mansion 54.
Key Players:
Guards DJ Newbill and Khyree Wooten are the two star players for
Strawberry Mansion. Senior Mike Terry leads North Catholic
Coaches:
North Catholic: Guy Moore
Strawberry Mansion: Gerald Hendricks
Tickets for VILLA's 3rd Annual Holiday Classic are $10 and can be
purchased at any VILLA location. For more information, images, and
interview requests, contact Megan R. Smith, Brownstone PR,
megan@brownstonepr.com, 215.410.9879.
ABOUT VILLA Celebrating 20 years in business, VILLA delivers the
best fashion from head to toe within a high energy environment
designed to be a neighborhood hub for entertainment, conversation,
and even community involvement. Costumers can watch the basketball
game on one of the many flat screen televisions, while surfing the
Internet, purchasing tickets to a local concert or finding out
aboutan upcoming neighborhood beautification project - all while
browsing a selection that includes premium merchandise from
Timberland, Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Puma, New Era, and much more.
With 25 stores centered in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and
Delaware urban neighborhoods, for VILLA, selling sneakers is an
entry-point - in the vein of 'meeting them where they are'. Unlike
other major retailers that benefit from inner city dollars, VILLA
gives back to the community where it resides by hiring only within
the community, providing each of its employees with financial
planning assistance, educational assistance, and leadership training
that benefits them on the job and in their community, and having the
community as a whole participate in the company's endeavors,
complimentary of VILLA's mission of change. With VILLA's assistance,
many of the store's managers have been able to purchase homes and go
back to school. Visit _www.ruvilla.com_
for more information ###