AHOSKIE – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

That means it will soon be time for the 17th annual Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic.

“We’re excited to be heading into another year of supporting our local public high schools with the News-Herald Holiday Classic,” Publisher Jeff Findley said. “This event has become one of the premier tournaments of its kind and we’re glad to be a part of it.”

The 17th annual even will again feature the boys and girls basketball teams from Bertie High School, Gates County High School, Northampton County High School n East and tournament host Hertford County High School.

While the tournament will involve the same schools and be funded by the same title-sponsor in the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, there will be a slight change to this year’s event.

“We have a great working relationship with United Country Joe Murray Realty on several fronts,” Findley said. “It made sense for them to join us in this event to help make it even bigger and better than it has before.”

With Joe Murray Realty joining hands with the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and Hertford County High School, the event will be able to provide more for perks the schools than in the past.

“I find it important to be involved in the community,” United Country Joe Murray Realty owner said. “In fact, I think it’s my responsibility. Being involved in the schools is even more important.

“We’re excited to be a part of this long-standing, successful Christmas tournament,” he added. “Hopefully this will

be the first of many years of this joint venture.”

With the combination of sponsors, the tournament will now be known as the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic sponsored by United Country Joe Murray Realty.

The basketball tournament will feature it’s normal slate of games over a three-day period.

It is slated to begin on Tuesday, December 26 with a three-game slate that will set the stage for the event.

The first game of the evening will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday when the girls teams from Bertie and Gates County square off. That will be followed by another girls contest between Hertford County and Northampton-East.

The final game of the night, slated tentatively for 8 p.m., will feature host Hertford County High School against Northampton.

On Wednesday, December 27, the night will begin at 6 p.m. with the girl’s consolation contest. That will be followed by a boy’s game between Bertie and Gates County.

Both Tuesday and Wednesday will have tickets on sale for $6. No passes will be excepted.

On Thursday night, two champions will be crowned.

The night begins at 5 p.m. with the boy’s consolation contest and continues with the Girl’s Championship game and the Boy’s Championship game.

Championship night tickets are $7 with no passes accepted.

“We appreciate the support we’ve received from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald throughout the life of this tournament,” HCHS Athletic Director Charles Simmons said. “We’re looking forward to having the same kind of relationship with United Country Joe Murray Realty.”