38th Annual Pepsi Carolina Classic

The 38th Annual Pepsi Carolina Classic presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union is shaping up to be a great stage for varsity high school basketball.

Nestled in one of the main commercial areas of the City, this year's premiere tournament will be held Dec. 27-29 at South Florence High School, 3200 S. Irby St., Florence. The tournament location rotates each year among West Florence, Wilson, and South Florence High Schools.

Teams featured include the following schools from across the East Coast:

Girls Division

• Quality Education Academy – NC
• South Florence
• Trinity Collegiate
• Wilson

Boys Division

• Atlantic Collegiate Academy
• Crestwood
• Marlboro County
• Quality Education Academy – NC
• South Florence
• Trinity Collegiate
• West Florence
• Wilson

Beyond three days of competitive basketball are the kids, the real reason the tournament exists at all. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area support thousands of children each year receive the encouragement, character-building skills, safety, nutrition, and positive influence needed to succeed in school and in life. The Clubs serve more than 3,000 youth each year in Florence, Hartsville, Hemingway, Lake City, Pamplico, and Timmonsville.

Here are a few of the impacts:

• 88% of Club members’ teachers say Club members’ behavior has improved;
• 97% of Club members’ parents say their children learned how to set goals;
• 85% of Club members’ parents say Club services help them hold a job; and
• 88% of Club members’ teachers notice Club members care more about learning.