THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502100240
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Tickets for the 43rd annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will go on sale Monday at Willett Hall and all area Ticketmaster locations.
The tournament will be held at Churchland High School April 5-8.
Single-night tickets are $6.25. A four-day tournament pass can be purchased for $20.25.
``This year, we will have special group rates for advance tickets,'' said PIT chairman Mahlon Parker.
A 10-ticket block in the mezzanine section will be $52.50. A 20-ticket block will be $95.
A 25-ticket block in the end court section will be $100. Fifty tickets in this section will be $175 and 100 tickets will be $300.
``We are hopeful individuals or businesses will consider buying more tickets than they need and donate some to deserving young basketball enthusiasts who would appreciate receiving complimentary tickets to a game, which we can arrange.
``This would be a worthwhile community service for clubs, churches and others. We're looking for major sponsors, and we will recognize them with special nights.''
Parker pointed out that attendance had dropped with the championship game moved to a noon start.
``We saw a lot of empty seats and that concerned us,'' he said. ``We are putting an emphasis on group sales and we expect a return to the evening championship will help, too.
``We are hopeful of filling the Churchland gymnasium all four nights, and we are recommending that tickets be purchased in advance,'' added Parker.
John Spence is ticket chairman and can be reached at 393-2559.
Nationally televised by ESPN the past two years, the PIT will have no telecast this year.
ESPN had required the third-place game to be played after the title game. The PIT now is returning to its earlier format with the third-place game to be held at 5:30 p.m. and the final at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.
The first two rounds and the semifinals will have games at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
``We will continue with our 11-game format with three afternoon consolation bracket games,'' Parker said. ``And these games will be by donation only, free to the public. These will be at 3:15 on April 6 and April 7 with the consolation championship on April 8 at 1:30 p.m.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Mahlon Parker, PIT chairman
by CNB