Two prolific basketball schools in the Ottawa Valley will collide for some primetime hoops later this week.
The Holiday Hoops Classic makes its way to Renfrew Collegiate Institute on Thursday, December 18th, pitting the hometown Raiders’ junior and senior boys teams against one of Pembroke’s strongest sporting programs in an annual matchup that RCI coach Adam Noack says will take place at a timeslot they’ve often coveted.
Despite the two schools playing at different levels during tournament play, RCI and Fellowes have grown a healthy rivalry over the past two years thanks in part to the Holiday Hoops Classic and its sister event, the Harvest Hoops Classic, which sees their girls teams play in early October.
Both act as a chance for the underdog Raiders to test their mettle against a highly respected opponent.
Noack admits the Fellowes alumni who packed the stands in last year’s road loss in Pembroke created a fantastic atmosphere, but he’s confident that RCI will have the backing of recent graduates who promised to pay back the support received from this year’s group of athletes back when they were just freshmen.
Doors to the RCI gymnasium open ahead of the junior boys game at 5:30 pm this Thursday, with the seniors following right after at 7:30 pm. Noack welcomes the Renfrew faithful to join them in rallying for the Raiders for the cost of a donation to the Renfrew & District Food Bank.
(written by Kasey Egan)
