By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The National Division II Christian Homeschool Association is bringing their 2021, 2022 and 2023 National Basketball Tournament weekends to Hutchinson. The three-year Championship will be headquartered at the Hutchinson Sports Arena the first weekend of March each year.
"The renovation of the Sports Arena really opened up the possibility for this," said Holly Leiker, National Sports and Destination Sales Manager for Visit Hutch. "We can't thank the Hutchinson community enough for their support of that renovation and this is just another event that we can bring in to that awesome facility."
The National DII Basketball Tournament consists of 70 boys and girls basketball teams that are comprised of junior high and high school homeschooled athletes. All participating teams share similar organizational values.
"The families come, it's their vacation," said Leiker. "They kind of see it as their spring break, in some instances. Those families will be coming in, they'll be out in the community, at our attractions, at our restaurants and shopping. They are here for the weekend."
The tournament will move to Hutchinson after being held in McPherson and Lindsborg the past several years. Tournament dates are March 4-6, 2021, March 3-5, 2022, and March 2-4, 2023.
"This is great basketball," Leiker said. "These kids work so hard. They're playing together all season. Hutchinson loves basketball, so this is just where we're adding another basketball weekend."
Over 100 basketball games will be played over the three days of competition in Hutchinson. In addition, there are free throw and 3-point shooting competitions held among the Junior High and High School divisions.