Dec. 7, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - First-round matchups and game times have been announced for the 2009 T-Mobile Invitational National High School Basketball Tournament, to be played December 29-30 at the Pete Hanna Center at Samford University. Now in its fourth year, the T-Mobile Invitational is the nation's premier high school basketball tournament, and features eight of the country's best high school teams.

Leading off the Dec. 29 first-round girls games is a matchup between national powers St. Mary's High School (Stockton, Calif.) and Mt. Lebanon High School (Pittsburgh, Penn.). St. Mary's is the nation's top-rated team in most rankings. Last year, the Rams won their fifth Division II state title this decade. Mt. Lebanon returns 18 of 20 players from last year's undefeated state championship team.

The second girls game matches defending Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Class AAA champion Hillsboro High School (Nashville, Tenn.) and local favorite Hoover High School, which was runner-up in the 2009 AHSAA 6A state tournament.

The first boys game features Yates High School (Houston, Tex.), which averaged 96.5 points per game in winning the 2009 Texas University Interscholastic League Conference 4A state title, against Kentwood High School (Covington, Wash.) The nightcap matches Winter Park High School (Winter Park, Fla.) and Butler High School out of Huntsville, the two-time defending AHSAA Class 5A state champions.

The winning teams will advance to play in the girls and boys championship games on December 30, with consolation games to be played earlier that day. All eight games will be nationally televised on CBS College Sports.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.samford.edu/ops/hanna, in person at the Pete Hanna Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, or by phone at 888-DUNK-TIX (888-3865-849).

Two-day passes are $10 for students and $16 for adults. Single-day tickets are $6 for students and $10 for adults.

Game Times and Matchups

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Pete Hanna Center
1:05 PM: Girls, St. Mary's (CA) vs. Mt. Lebanon (PA)
2:50 PM: Boys, Yates (TX) vs. Kentwood (WA)
4:35 PM: Girls, Hoover (AL) vs. Hillsboro (TN)
6:20 PM: Boys, Butler (AL) vs. Winter Park (FL)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Pete Hanna Center
1:05 PM: Girls Consolation
2:50 PM: Boys Consolation
4:35 PM: Girls Championship
6:20 PM: Boys Championship