CANCELED: 2021 Spalding Hoophall Classic gets socked by pandemic concerns; several Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school basketball teams affected

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – One of the nation’s most prestigious high school basketball events was canceled on Thursday. The 2021 Spalding Hoophall Classic, which is played annually at Springfield College’s Blake Arena and gathers several blue-chip players and several teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings, is out due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

There is a chance the event could stage the Hoophall West in late January in Arizona but nothing has been conformed. The event, which is played over the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend and has multiple games shown live on the ESPN family of networks, is hopeful for a return in January 2022.

In an email, Hoophall Classic organizers said:

“We have reviewed all possibilities and with the combination of rising cases, State regulations, travel advisories and the unknown of the local high school basketball calendar, we don’t believe we have a path forward. Health and safety at this time are paramount to any scenario and with no recent positive news for the coming months ahead, the best decision is to not have this year’s event.

“The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an impact on everyone in one way or another, and as we look forward, we believe we can come back to a normal Hoophall Classic in January of 2022. We will be in touch with everyone as we begin to look at the following January. We appreciate everyone’s understanding in this matter during these difficult times for us all.

“The 20th Anniversary of the Hoophall Classic had an impressive schedule which would have generated more excitement than last year. We look forward to bringing back that excitement and energy in January of 2022.  Enjoy the holiday season and be safe.  MLK Weekend certainly won’t be the same this year.”