Successful showing for Shoe City Classic

LYNN – For 20 straight summers, the Hoganz Hoop Classic, under the guidance of Fred Hogan, was one of the premier weekends for the City of Lynn. After stepping down from his lead role in 2012, Hogan passed off his responsibilities to Simmie Anderson, who put on a strong performance on Sunday afternoon at Marian Gardens.The newly named Shoe City Hoop Classic once again proved a hit, as the daylong basketball tournament brought out plenty of talent and even more spectators. Now at the helm, Anderson was quick to praise Hogan for everything he has meant, and still does mean, to the event.?For the last 20 years Fred has done a great job with this tournament and it has really thrived,” explained Anderson of his friend and mentor. “He means so much to me and so many others and he has been grooming me all these years.”Things picked up right where they left off last year, meaning that there was plenty of intensity and excitement. Fourteen teams, from all over Eastern Massachusetts, turned out this year.?It was great to see teams from not just Lynn and the Boston area (i.e. Peabody, Beverly) out there today, but guys from places like Haverhill and Lawrence as well,” said Anderson. “I?m doing my best to take this tournament to the next level and reaching out to different cities really paid off.”Three age groups did their best and succeeded in wowing the throngs of viewers who turned out on a beautiful afternoon. Fittingly, it was Lynn?s Shoe City squad that won this summer?s championship, outlasting “The Soldiers” in a thrilling overtime finale.?The audience has been better and better every year, which is great to see, but what I am most proud of is how everybody coexists with each other,” explained Anderson. “It?s a very diverse group but there is nothing but respect out there and everybody enjoys themselves.”As for the talent level on the court, Anderson used such words as “excellent” and “top-notch” to describe the players who took center stage.Plenty of high-level collegiate players participated, including Tony Gallo (Coppin State/Lynn Tech), Corey Bingham (Toledo/Lynn Tech), Anthony Anderson (UMass/Lynn English) and Alvin Abreau (New Hampshire/Lynn Classical).It would be Dorian Brown who took home MVP honors for the day. A Lynn native, Brown played for two seasons at Classical, as well as a year each at English and St. Mary?s.Anderson was also quick to thank the sponsors who made the day possible.?Without the help of such companies as RAM Electric, who sponsored our jerseys, as well as Caribbean Auto and North Shore Tides, this day wouldn?t have been as special,” he said.The inspiration for the new name came from Anderson himself, who wished to involve the city?s storied history.?Shoe City was Lynn?s original nickname because of all the factories that used to be here and I thought it would be nice to remind the people that Lynn isn?t the “city of sin” that people sometimes refer to it as, but rather a city that is responsible for a lot of good,” Anderson said.All in all, Anderson was very happy with the day?s turnout and relieved that everything went smoothly.?I was a bit nervous before the start because I know a lot of people were thinking how can they do this without Fred,” explained Anderson. “He was right there with me through it all, however, and helped and guided me and I cannot thank him enough for it.”