The annual Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament tips off Wednesday morning and will feature arguably the best lineup of games in the history of the event.
The three-day tournament, which was played at East Hamilton High last year and was not held due to the pandemic in 2020, returns to Chattanooga State with eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams — all from the Chattanooga area — including several perennial local powerhouse programs.
Daily admission for both tournaments is $10 and is good for all eight games that day.
Tournament organizers have added extra security for both tournaments, inside the gym — including metal detectors at entry gates — as well as officers patrolling the parking lot and surrounding campus.
There will also be a clear bag policy, which states only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a 1-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches.