Proviso West Tournament expanding to 32 teams in 2012

Here is the press release:

PROVISO WEST HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT TO EXPAND IN 2012

The Proviso West Holiday Tournament has announced plans to expand its Christmas Classic from 16 to 32 teams starting next year.

"I got tired of saying 'no' to new teams that wanted to play here" said Holiday Tournament Executive Director Joe Spagnolo.

The new format will allow for games to be played on six days instead of the traditional four, and will allow for simultaneous games being played on three days of the tournament. The tournament expanded from eight to 16 teams, after the first year of the event in 1961.

A state-of-the-art facility including portable flooring and baskets will be brought in to the adjacent fieldhouse to provide a two games under one roof setting for a single admission price. Single sessions will remain at their current pricing, but on days where there are games in both facilities that ticket will allow admission to all games on both courts in that session.

"If you're quick on your feet, you'll be able to see the end of all 61 games" quipped Spagnolo.

Most of the 32-teams have already been secured and those teams and the dates for next year will be announced later this month.