Holiday Invitational

Holiday Invitational funds scholarships for Triangle students

Over the past decade, proceeds from tournament tickets have funded more than $1 million in scholarship money for students from Triangle-area high schools.

Posted 2014-12-23T04:43:13+00:00 - Updated 2014-12-23T04:47:47+00:00

TEAF Executive Director Bill Sewell (center) and 2012 TEAF scholarship winners Joe Mitchell and Alexis Perry at Jordan High School.

The HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational is more than just a basketball tournament.

Over the past decade, proceeds from tournament tickets have funded more than $1 million in scholarship money for students from Triangle-area high schools.

The Triangle Area Educational Advancement Foundation, founded in 1994 to oversee the basketball tournament, chooses 10 outstanding students each year to award a gift of $5,000 for the first, pivotal year of college.

"The TEAF Board of Directors is made up of 10 local volunteers that give their time and energy to make the tournament happen and award scholarships to deserving young men and women from our community," said Tournament Director Bill Sewell.

"The scholarship winners are truly outstanding representatives of our community. They are chosen on the basis of academics, athletics, community service, leadership and financial need."

Sewell said he believes the Holiday Invitational scholarship fund is the most generous of its kind in the country.

The tournament is also distinguished by the field of players it attracts. It is regularly ranked among the tops in the nation for fans to see rising stars.

In 2014, the Holiday Invitational welcomes the top two players from the Class of 2016, Thon Maker (Orangeville Prep) and Harry Giles (Wesleyan Christian) are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

The field also includes two defending N.C. High School Athletic Association state champions – Apex (4A) and Kinston (2A)