Local high school basketball teams faced off in Hoopsfest at the Coliseum

Hoopsfest returned to the Gulf Coast Coliseum after a year off due to COVID.

High school basketball players showed off their skills in a professional setting, an opportunity that wasn’t available before.

Director Bryan Caldwell says Hoopsfest is great practice for kids to try to make a late-season run for the state title.

The event was pared down to four teams and eight match-ups from having 14 teams play in previous years. “Well, it’s totally different from a high school gymnasium, because it’s so large, there’s a lot of space behind the backboard, a lot of room between the sidelines and bleachers. So, it’s a totally different environment from what they’re used to, and they see the same thing whenever you make it to the state tournament, so it’s a really good dress rehearsal.”

In years past, Hoopsfest showcased seven varsity games between 14 teams.