Toyota of Danville Classic basketball tournament tips off at SJO tomorrow

ST. JOSEPH - Formerly known as The Leader Classic, the annual Toyota of Danville Classic boys basketball tournament will tip off at 5pm tomorrow with the opening game between the Timberwolves of Cissna Park and the Panthers of Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

Now playing at Illinois State University, St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence goes up for a dunk over Oakwood's Dalton Hobick during last year's Toyota of Danville Classic championship game. Pence, who finished with 33 points and was named All-Tournament MVP, won't be back this season. What will be new this year is the use a 35-second shot clock for all 16 tournament contests.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

This year's eight teams include 2022 runner-up Oakwood, Cissna Park, PBL, and St. Teresa in Pool A.

Pool B teams include Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, Charleston, Watseka, and the hosts and 2022 champions, St. Joseph-Ogden.

St. Joseph-Ogden will play their first pool game on tomorrow evening against Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at 6:30pm. After a day of rest, SJO are on the hardwood three consecutive days starting on Thursday with the day's matinee against Watseka at 5pm. The Spartans will play their final pool game against Charleston, who make their first appearance in the holiday tournament on Friday.

Spectators and basketball fans can expect lots of fast-paced action. The tournament will be using an IHSA approved shot clock for all 16 contests this year.

Admission fees for this year's tournament are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Tickets will be available at the ticket booth at the main entrance before each game.

2023 Toyota of Danville Classic Schedule

(All games at St. Joseph-Ogden High School)

Tuesday, 11/28/23:
5:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. PBL
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM: St. Teresa vs. Oakwood

Wednesday, 11/29/23:
5:00 PM: Watseka vs. Charleston
6:30 PM: PBL vs. St. Teresa
8:00 PM: Oakwood vs. Cissna Park

Thursday, 11/30/23:
5:00 PM: Watseka vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
6:30 PM: Charleston vs. ALAH
8:00 PM: Oakwood vs. PBL

Friday, 12/1/23: 5:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. St. Teresa
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. Watseka
8:00 PM: Charleston vs. St. Joseph-Ogden

Saturday, 12/2/23:
2:00 PM: 7th Place Game
3:30 PM: 5th Place Game
5:00 PM: 3rd Place Game
6:30 PM: 1st Place Game

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