Challenge Accepted: High School Hoopers in Salisbury

The Governors Challenge High School basketball tournament in Salisbury, Maryland will host over 140 boys and girls teams from across the nation for the 42nd consecutive year. From December 26-30, over 15,000 fans come to support the up and coming players at four venues: Wicomico Civic Center, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Salisbury University, and Wicomico High School.

According to the Governors Challenge official website, this basketball tournament is referred to as “the best experience in high school hoops.”

Logo for the Governor's Challenge, showcasing the prestigious high school basketball tournament on the East Coast.

With 21 local businesses sponsoring the event, the Governors Challenge is presented by Pohanka Car Dealership of Salisbury. These sponsors help organize the annual food and toy drive where canned goods and wrapped children’s toys are collected to donate back to the less fortunate before the tournament commences.

The Governors Challenge builds the excitement for the largest high school basketball holiday tournament in the nation a month prior to the event; media day was held on Thursday, November 21st, 2024, at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Teams from across the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) peninsula bring their starting five to media day where they take individual and team pictures with props such as a bedazzled basketball and a throne. 

Senior Faith Re, the starting shooting guard for the Lady Viks, thought that the media day was an incredible opportunity. “The media day was super fun and a great way to meet other players and get cool pictures!”

In addition to traditional five-on-five basketball games, there are two All-Star nights and one Slam Dunk Contest across the five days. Countless nationally ranked players will be competing on the court, including athletes from the 21 Delaware schools in the tournament.

Week-long and daily tournament in-person passes can be purchased for spectators on the Governor's Challenge website and games can be streamed virtually on Delmarva Sports Network (DSN). 

Not only is the annual holiday tournament thrilling for fans to watch, it is also an incredible opportunity for college recruitment. Several college coaches attend this event looking for future prospects. The Governors Challenge is sponsored by Captain U, the number one recruiting website in the country. Captain U provides free access to their website with profiles for all athletes and coaches in order to maximize their exposure. 

Starting power forward for the Lady Viks, Junior Amalia Frutchman, who hopes to continue her athletic career in college, is looking forward to the tournament. “The Governors Challenge is a chance for our team to shine and showcase their abilities to all of the coaches at the event. The intense level of competition will be a good way for our team to tie any loose ends for our future regular season games.”