North High Captures Title at Inaugural Alumni Classic Basketball Tournament

The North High School Mustangs won the Championship Game of the 2016 Alumni Classic basketball tournament.

Congratulations to the North High School Mustangs for winning the Championship Game in the inaugural Alumni Classic basketball tournament on July 10!

North came out victorious against South Mountain High School in the intense title game, 64-60! The Mustangs battled back from 15 points down in the second half to triumph over the Jaguars. North’s Jimmy Scroggins (Class of 2006) was named the Most Valuable Player.

The Alumni Classic featured former basketball stars from Valley high schools and the games were played from July 8-10 at Camelback High School. Hundreds of fans filled the stands to cheer on the players.

The participating schools included North, South Mountain, Carl Hayden, Tempe, McClintock, Trevor Browne, Maryvale, Dobson, Mesa, Desert Vista, Mountain Pointe, Mountain View, Red Mountain and Camelback.

Organizer Lester Neal was thrilled with the outcome of this first-ever Alumni Classic basketball tournament.

“The teams came out and played hard for their schools,” Neal stated. “They represented their schools very well and showed that the spirit of the old rivalries is still alive.”

Neal, a former basketball standout at Arizona State University, said he experienced several bumps in the road while coordinating all of logistics associated with the tournament.

“Getting players registered and convincing them that this was a legitimate sports event was a significant challenge for me at first,” said Neal. “Some doubters told me that Phoenix wouldn’t support a tournament like event.”

However, the success of the Alumni Classic made of all the struggles worthwhile.

“The players told me that they really enjoyed competing against the guys that they faced during their high school days,” said Neal. “I loved watching now North High celebrated their championship victory.”

Due to high demand from former women’s hoops players, Neal said that he is scheduling a co-ed alumni league for the fall.

Furthermore, he intends to host the second-annual Alumni Classic basketball tournament in March 2017. Neal said there will be a men’s and women’s division in the second-annual Alumni Classic tournament.

“Men and women have been asking when the next tournaments will be held,” Neal stated. “I know there will be a much bigger turnout in the future.”

To find out how you can participate in or support future Alumni Classic tournaments, visit www.alumniclassic.com.