LYNN — If you’re a high school basketball nut, next Saturday may be the day for you.
Starting at 2 p.m. on December 8, 20 area teams will compete in the 26th Annual Paul Duchane Girls Varsity High School Basketball Jamboree in the Lynn Classical gym. The preseason scrimmage extravaganza consists of 10 games that each run for 40 minutes.
“We’re really proud to have this event in our gym,” said Classical coach Tom Sawyer, who has been running the event for the past 13 years. “There’s always a great vibe in the gym, and it’s just great to get everyone out and enjoying basketball again. It’s the players’ first time on the court usually, it’s the fans’ first time out for the year and it’s the coaches’ first chance to get a look at their team and the competition.”
The event also serves as a scholarship fundraiser, the proceeds of which are given to Classical seniors at the end of each year.
This year, the jamboree kicks off with Malden vs. Marblehead (2). That will be followed by Medford vs. Triton (2:40); Somerville vs. Hamilton-Wenham (3:20); Revere vs. Bishop Fenwick (4); Swampscott vs. Melrose (4:40); Danvers vs. St. Mary’s (5:20); Saugus vs. Billerica (6); Peabody vs. Masconomet (6:40); English vs. Reading (7:20) and Classical vs. Georgetown (8).
In addition to just being a great day for basketball, Sawyer knows there’s also a bit of a bonus in being able to see some of the teams that the Rams will be playing during the course of the year.
“It’s great that we can all sit there and watch all day,” said Sawyer. “There are a lot of area coaches who aren’t even in the tournament who come to watch some of their future competitors. If you’re into high school basketball, this is the event for you.”
