National Draw Grows with IMG Academy Facing Ohio High School Powerhouses 
in Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Hilliard Bradley and Dublin Coffman Over Three Days 

 

Holiday Hoopla’s third year showcases more than 30 boys and girls high school basketball games, an NCAA Division II game and a youth tournament featuring nearly 50 teams playing on six courts in Exhibit Hall B at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) from Saturday, Dec. 19 through Monday, Dec. 21. 

The Holiday Hoopla high school showcase will feature more than 50 Ohio boys and girls’ programs competing in over 30 intrastate battles. There will also be select interstate matchups as regional prep teams from Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky will join Florida’s IMG Academy in taking on some of Ohio’s top programs. The event will also include a college match-up as Hocking College will face off against Wright State University-Lake Campus Saturday, Dec. 19. 

“The local, regional and national interest in playing in Holiday Hoopla has taken another jump this year with more games overall, more high-level prep teams playing, a college game and a special middle school game,” said Matt Morgan, Holiday Hoopla executive director. “We received so much positive feedback last year from our teams, school administrators, players and their families about competing in our unique basketball festival environment in Downtown Columbus during the holiday season, thanks to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.” 

“Playing in Holiday Hoopla ensures the players and teams in central Ohio girls’ basketball remain ignited and have the showcase opportunities they deserve,” said Tenishia Benson, founder and president of HoopRecruit. “We’re thankful for our partnership with Holiday Hoopla that presents these games as a celebration of talent, exposure, and the continued rise of girls basketball.”  

One all-day general admission ticket provides families and fans access to Holiday Hoopla’s high school basketball showcase games and youth basketball tournament. Tickets will only be sold on-site at the GCCC during the event: 

 

  • $20 | Adults  

  • $15 | Students (with a school ID presented)  

  • $10 | Seniors and children (K-6th grade)  

  • Free | Kids ages 4 and under 

 

“Adding Holiday Hoopla to the GCCC’s storied history of basketball events has been a meaningful community achievement over the past three years,” said Dean Dennis, general manager of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. “This third year is shaping up to be our best yet, and we look forward to welcoming a true basketball festival, with six courts running simultaneously and youth players of all ages competing downtown.” 

 

Basketball at the GCCC 

The American Basketball League’s Columbus Quest, Wendy’s Classic and various high school games are the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s basketball legacy from its early era. Recently, the GCCC has hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four Tourney Town in 2018, the OHSAA Boys and Girls Basketball District Championships in 2019-20, the NCAA Division II 2021 Women’s Elite 8 and participated in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) prior to Holiday Hoopla. 

2026 Holiday Hoopla Participating Schools

 
Boys HS Basketball Teams Boys Prep Teams Girls Basketball Teams

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 

Bishop Ready 

Buckeye Valley 

Chesapeake 

Chillicothe 

Cincinnati Aiken 

Cincinnati Hughes 

Cleveland Central Catholic 

Dublin Davis MS 

Dayton Dunbar 

Dublin Coffman 

Dublin Jerome 

Dublin Scioto 

Eastmoor 

Franklin Heights 

Grandview 

Harvest Prep 

Hilliard Bradley 

Hilliard Davidson  

Johnstown 

Lucasville Valley 

IMG Academy (FL) 

Evangel Christian (KY) 

Flyght Academy (OH) 

Erie Prep (PA) 

Phelps Prep (PA)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akron Buchtel 

Canton Massillon 

Columbus Academy 

Columbus Africentric 

Columbus Centennial 

Columbus East 

Columbus Eastmoor 

Columbus Northland 

Dayton Wayne 

Grove City 

Hilliard Bradley 

Reynoldsburg 

Thomas Worthington 

Toledo Rodgers 

Upper Arlington 

Watkins Memorial 

Walnut Ridge 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE PARTNERS 

 

Bleacher Prospect 

Bleacher Prospect is a basketball media and events organization dedicated to showcasing student-athletes and creating opportunities for exposure at the next level. Through player coverage, camps, showcases and tournaments, Bleacher Prospect connects athletes with fans, college coaches and the broader basketball community. With a focus on quality events and meaningful relationships, the organization celebrates the game while helping athletes gain recognition and pursue their goals on and off the court. 
 

HoopRecruit 

A long-time game-changer in girls basketball and once recognized as the #1 single-state scouting service in the country, HoopRecruit has grown into a national exposure platform that consistently identifies, promotes, and elevates the best talent. Known as the top player identifier and promoter in Ohio, we have built our reputation on spotlighting athletes early, providing unmatched evaluations, and creating opportunities that change the trajectory of careers. Its reach and credibility make it a trusted name among coaches, programs, and players nationwide. 
 

Greater Columbus Convention Center/Legends Global 

The award-winning, 1.8 million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) offers 373,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 74 meeting rooms and a total of 114,000 square feet of ballroom space among three ballrooms. The facility is owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) and managed by Legends Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management with a venue portfolio that spans five continents and includes 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.