Ballin 4 Peace Announces First Annual Ballin 4 Peace High School Holiday Classic

(Springfield Gardens, Queens, New York -- December 6, 2021) It will be a very happy holiday season this December when twelve high school boys varsity basketball teams from around New York City will take to the floor to compete in the first annual Ballin 4 Peace High School Holiday Classic the organization announced. 

Join Ballin 4 Peace on Thursday, December 30th at 10:30 a.m. at Springfield Gardens High School (143-10 Springfield Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, Queens, NY. 11413) as the Golden Eagles’ home court welcomes a strong field of basketball talent to tip-off what will be an unforgettable Ballin 4 Peace High School Holiday Classic. 

“Since launching Ballin 4 Peace back in 2012, it was our goal as an organization to spread peace through sports. Thanks to our community outreach, events, programs, and charity games, we’ve been able to successfully accomplish that task while also keeping a focus on giving back through the game of basketball,” said Ballin 4 Peace Founder, Haron Hargrave. 

“Now with the first annual Ballin 4 Peace High School Holiday Classic, we’ll be able to further our cause and message while celebrating a collection of standout student-athletes on the court through this basketball tournament. We can’t thank everyone at Springfield High School enough for helping us host this first-ever event for Ballin 4 Peace.” 

The confirmed area high school boys varsity teams for the Ballin 4 Peace High School Holiday Classic include: West End High School (New York) vs. Van Buren High School (10:30 a.m.), BaySide High School vs. Graphic Arts Campus (12:00 p.m.), Epic South High School vs. George Washington (New York) (1:30 p.m.), Springfield High School (Queens) vs. Erasmus Hall High School (Brooklyn) (3:00 p.m.), Boys & Girls High School vs. High School for Construction (4:30 p.m.), Campus Magnet (Queens) vs. Gompers High School (6:00 p.m.). 

General admission for the first annual Ballin 4 Peace High School Classic is $5.00. Tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite, with all proceeds from the event going to benefit the Ballin 4 Peace Scholarship Program. 

“These games mean more than just basketball,” added Hargrave, a native of Queens. 

“It’s also a time to come together in honor of the memory of my childhood friend -- Mark Arrington -- who lost his life during a senseless act of violence in Hollis Queens back in 2007. This is just one way we can make a difference and have an impact in the community and on the court.” 

Following New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 health and safety guidance, all guests ages 12 and up will be required to present proof of full vaccination status of proof of a negative  COVID-19 test to enter the gym at Springfield High School. 

Stay tuned to Ballin 4 Peace and the organization’s social media channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) for further information.