The second annual Tom Crotty Classic, sponsored by the Hope Through Hoops foundation, will once again bring the best high school teams from New York and New Jersey to Alumni Hall at St. John's University in Jamaica Queens. This year, the games will be held on January 30th 2005 beginning at 11:00am. Please note that this is the Sunday between the NFL's Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl so there's no reason to miss this great event

This year's tournament will feature perennial New York State powers including Rice, St. Ray's and Xaverian from New York City, St. Mary's from Long Island and defending New York State Champion Mt. Vernon High.

New Jersey will also be well represented with national powers St. Anthony's and St. Patrick's participating, as well as Bloomfield Tech, which features two of New Jersey's top juniors 6'9" Casim Drummond and 6'5" Dasean Butler.

Most importantly, this great day of basketball honors a true gentleman of New York Hoops. Tom Crotty played at Maria Regina High School on Long Island and Marist College. He had been managing director at Sandler O'Neil's at the time of his death on Sept. 11, 2001. This event not only honors Mr. Crotty and his love of basketball, it helps raise money for educational and other philanthropic endeavors sponsored by Hope Through Hoops. Mark it down on your calendar as we will on ours here at High Hoops. Again the games are Sunday January 30th 2005 at St. John's beginning at 11:00am. Here is the complete slate of matchups:

Game 1- McClancy vs.Bishop Ford

Game 2- Don Bosco Vs.Holy Cross

Game 3- St.Anthony'y-Jersey City vs The Hun School

Game 4  Xaverian vs St.Mary's Manhasset

Game 5  St.Raymond's vs.Rice

Game 6  Bloomfield Tech vs.Cardozo

Game 7 St.Patrick's-Elizabeth vs Mount Vernon.'