SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Birthplace of Basketball looked a little different this Friday. For the first time in its prestigious history, the Spalding Hoophall Classic dedicated an entire day exclusively to high school girls’ basketball, featuring six marquee matchups between the nation’s elite programs.
With icons like Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley sitting courtside, the atmosphere at Blake Arena was electric. The move to dedicate a full day to the girls’ game reflects the surging popularity of women’s basketball across the country.
“It’s about time,” said a Sierra Canyon assistant coach. “The talent level right now is at an all-time high. You have girls dunking, shooting from NBA range, and running complex offenses. They deserve this stage.”
The centerpiece of the day saw New York powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (LuHi) take down California’s Sierra Canyon, 70-60. While the score was close, the event felt like a victory for the sport itself, drawing a sold-out crowd and national media attention usually reserved for the boys’ prep circuit.