BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

On Thursday evening, the Susquehanna County Christmas Basketball Tournament will kick off at Elk Lake High School.

The returning champion on the boys’ side is Elk Lake, which defeated Blue Ridge in the finals at Susquehanna Community High School last year by a score of 53-44.

On the girls’ side, Montrose Area defeated Susquehanna in the Denise Reddon Memorial Tournament championship by a score of 78-36.

First round boys’ and girls’ games will take place starting at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday evening as Susquehanna’s girls take on Montrose in the Elk Lake Elementary Center gymnasium.

At 6 p.m., the first boys’ game will begin as Susquehanna takes on Montrose in the high school gym.

At 6:30 p.m., the Blue Ridge girls will face off against Elk Lake’s girls in the elementary school gym.

At 7:15 p.m., the second boys’ game will take place as Blue Ridge and Elk Lake face off in the high school gym.

The championship round of the tournament will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, with the girls’ consolation game starting at 5:15 p.m. in the elementary gym, followed by the girls’ championship game at 6:30 p.m. in the elementary gym.

The boys’ consolation game will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school gym, followed by the championship game at 7:15 p.m. in the high school gym.

Returning to the court for Blue Ridge’s boys this season are All-Tournament team member Sawyer Dearborn, along with returning starter Mike Gathany, while Elk Lake’s Rob Heft and Tanner Reyan will playmakers on the court as will Montrose’s Cameron Dean and Joe Zuber and Susquehanna’s Andrzej Tomczyk and Cole Mallery.

On the girls’ side, Montrose’s Meghan Gilhool, Morgan Groover and Myra Lattimore with be a force on the court, along with Elk Lake’s Meghan Bush and Taylor Watkins, Blue Ridge’s Jessica Jhingoor and Sierra Hall, and Susquehanna’s Mashawna Hargett and Sara Serfilippi are sure to bring excitement to the court.

This year is the seventh year that The Community Foundation of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties has sponsored the Susquehanna County Basketball Tournament by managing a scholarship endowment for players on the teams involved.

It is the second time Elk Lake has hosted the tournament.

Elk Lake athletic director Tony Blaisure said that Elk Lake’s boys are hoping to repeat as tournament champions this year.

“We are looking for good competition, since these are teams we play in our league,” Blaisure said. “We’re also hoping for good weather and good competition.”

Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will benefit the college scholarship.

Director of Development for the Community Foundation Peter Quigg said that tax deductible donations can be made year round to the scholarship endowment.

Checks can be made out to the “Basketball Tournament Fund,” and mailed to 36 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801.

For more information about the scholarship fund please contact Community Foundation Director of Development, Peter Quigg, at 278-3800.

Ticket prices for the tournaments are $4 for adults per night, $2 for students and $3 for senior citizens.