Texor Petroleum is proud to announce the completion of another successful Minuteman Classic High School Basketball tournament. The 12th annual Classic was held July 7th and 8th at York High School in Elmhurst. 112 games were played over a two-day period by 32 boys' high school teams and 16 girls high school teams. There were over 500 players participating. Almost $3,500 was raised over the two-day period via admissions and concessions sales. All monies raised will be donated to the local DARE programs that serve Minuteman Convenience Center communities. Texor Petroleum will fund a matching donation as well.
The basketball action was exciting. On the boys' side, the eight teams that advanced to the championship bracket included perennial powers St Josephs, Hillcrest, Homewood-Flossmoor, Oak Park-River Forest, as well as newcomers York, Libertyville, Nequa Valley and Richards. Hillcrest defeated a feisty York team in the championship game by a score of 46-42. This was Hillcrest's second Minuteman Classic title. Coach Tom Capel was pleased with his team's effort and complimented this great tournament.
The Girls' tournament featured 16 of the best girls teams in the state including powerful Fenwick and Buffalo Grove, who made it to the championship round along with Proviso West and a surprising Riverside-Brookfield team. The championship game of Fenwick versus Buffalo Grove could very well be a preview of the 2007 state championship final. Both teams had all of their big-name players such as Devareux Peters, Erin Power and Allison Jackson of Fenwick as well as the Mocchi twins and Racel Buchek of Buffalo Grove. Buffalo Grove won by a score of 38-29.
A big thank you goes out to Tom McCloskey, tournament director and head coach of Riverside Brookfield as well as York head coach Al Biancalana for their efforts in getting the teams there and the games completed on time. The entire York High School staff was extremely accommodating in helping to keep things running smoothly.
Another great job was done by the concession staff, which was headed up by Darien DARE officer Ralph Menzione and Minuteman's Mike McCloskey. Sue McCloskey, Nancy Strait and a host of DARE officers also volunteered their time and efforts. These officers include Angie Zucchero of Burr Ridge, Tony Ikis of River Grove, Brad Luccini of Elmhurst, Wayne of Riverside and Angie of Bensenville. We cannot thank these people enough for their help as well as the many tournament sponsors. It is because of this effort that keeps this tournament getting better each year.
We are already looking forward to next year's tournament, which will again be held at York High School. The tentative dates are Friday July 6 and Saturday July 7th. We will keep you posted.
| Tournament Sponsors | |
|---|---|
| Carlin O'Brien | Shaun O'Brien |
| CITGO | Brad Winczewski |
| Lemont Refinery-CITGO | Jeff Rutter |
| Dearborn Foods | Al Garbacz |
| Anderson Pump | Ron Anderson |
| Coca-Cola | Mike Bozzi |
| Stan Morgan and Assoc | Matt Troyak |
| EBY Brown | Dennis Jezior |
| Bolingbrook Chevy | Ralph Mastroianni |
| Embassy Coffee | Gary Pretzer |
| Fullers Car Wash | Matt Fuller |
| Jays Potato Chips | Tom Hyland |
| Gas City | Len McEnry |
| J & R Dairy | Tony Purpura |
| Selex | Wally Gleitsman |
| Landshire | Rick Mitchell |
| Randy Ramsey | |
| Les Coval and Assoc | Les Coval |
| Marathon Oil | Bill Morris |
| McMahon Cartage | Jim McMahon |
| Midwest Apparel | Keith Vacey |
| Cash Stations | David Charles |
| Henne Construction | Verne Henne |
| Midwest Map | Jim Meacham |
| Pepsi | David Duvall |
| Alpha Betta Press | Steve Smith |
| Gatorade | Maurice Taylor |
| Schnieder and Assoc | Alan Schnieder |