By Matt Smith
A slew of Delaware County boys and girls basketball teams will partake in holiday themed invitational tournaments this week.
The Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic is Tuesday and Wednesday at Widener University. The Chester boys team meets Coatesville Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Garnet Valley boys and girls will host their Varsity Club Tournaments Tuesday and Wednesday. Chichester is one of the teams involved in the boys’ bracket.
One staple during the holiday season is the Haverford High Steve Juenger Tournament, which takes place Tuesday and Wednesday. The Fords open against Council Rock North.
The Ridley boys welcome District 12’s Simon Gratz, Lincoln and Lansdale Catholic for their holiday tourney Tuesday and Wednesday. On the girls’ side, the Green Raiders are set to host Penn Wood, Pennsbury and Unionville.
The Cardinal O’Hara girls program will host a holiday showcase Wednesday and Thursday. Joining the reigning two-time PIAA Class 5A champion Lions are Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, Archbishop Carroll and Villa Maria.
Academy of Notre Dame is headed to the Diamond State Tip-Off in Wilmington, Del. The Chester girls and Agnes Irwin are playing in the Robert Snear Tournament at Norristown.
The Penncrest Tournament (boys) is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Chester Charter Scholars Academy is participating.
If you’re heading down the shore, you can see the Strath Haven boys and Marple Newtown and Bonner & Prendergast girls compete at the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood. The invitational begins Tuesday and ends Friday.
The Haverford girls take their 7-0 record to the Brooklyn Bridge Classic, which tips off Thursday.
“We’re playing a Staten Island Academy team that is a defending state champ,” Haverford coach Lauren Pellicane said. “We’re excited. It’s good for the girls to see different competition.”
The Upper Darby boys squad travels to Whitehall High Wednesday to play in the Zephyr Holiday Classic. Bonner & Prendie boys hit the road Tuesday to play at the Slam Dunk To The Beach showcase in Lewes, Del.
Other Delaware County teams take their games to the Sunshine State. Sun Valley and Radnor boys are playing in Orlando and the Springfield girls will partake in a tournament on Daytona Beach.