The 2005 Carolina's All-Star Basketball Classic will be played on March 19 at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill.

The day starts at noon with the North-South girls game. It will be followed by the North-South boys.

Tickets are $8, but groups of eight or more can purchase them at $6 each. To order tickets, call (803) 329-8788.

The Classic kicks off Friday night at 7:30 with a new event - The Friday Night Showcase at Northwestern High School.It will include a boys' slam dunk contest with 8 competitors, boy's (8) and girls' (8) 3-point shooting contests and a two-ball competition.

The players in the first two events will be chosen by their coaches - two from each team.

The two-ball players will be randomly chosen from the remaining players, and features eight teams of one boy and one gill shooting from different spots on the floor with the clock running.

Tickets for the Showcase are $3 at the door.

CREDENTIALS: We are taking media requests for the event. If you plan to attend, please let me know by March 16, earlier if possible.

Press packets will be available at Winthrop Coliseum the day of the event. They can be picked up down the tunnel on the right side of the coliseum through the glass doors.

Anyone interested in attending Friday night's Showcase can get in with a photo press pass. To request credentials, please e-mail me back at bbyers@heraldonline.com or

call (803) 329-4099.

We need to know how many you need - working press only.

Thanks

Barry Byers, event media person

The Herald

Rock Hill, S.C.

Dorothy Fortune, Lee Central