Three Wichita organizations – Sunrise Christian Academy, Visit Wichita and the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission (GWASC) – are teaming up with the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) to host the first Air Capital Hoopfest December 1-3, 2022, at Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State University campus. The three-day boys basketball showcase will feature five of the top high school basketball programs in the country.
Sunrise Christian Academy is one of five NIBC teams participating in the event. “The NIBC represents the highest level of high school basketball and academic institutions in the country,” said Rashid Ghazi, commissioner of the NIBC. “We are delighted to partner with the city of Wichita, Kansas and Sunrise Christian Academy, last year’s NIBC regular season champions, to create an event that showcases our teams and the incredible talent within the NIBC. Wichita is a great sports town with an amazing basketball tradition and enthusiastic fans. The Air Capital Hoopfest will be a special event.”
“The NIBC represents the highest level of high school basketball in the country, and we are lucky to have one of those schools, Sunrise Christian Academy, right here in Wichita. We are thrilled to cheer them on in the first-ever Air Capital Hoopfest,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “It’s a great opportunity for locals and basketball fans in the region to see top-notch talent and high-quality basketball on the court at Charles Koch Arena.”
Kevin Jenks, president/CEO of the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission added, “The Air Capital Hoopfest is going to be awesome! Luke Barnwell, head coach of Sunrise Christian Academy, has built the program into one of the nation’s elite basketball schools. GWASC is proud to partner with NIBC, Sunrise Christian Academy and Visit Wichita to bring top level high school hoops to Wichita.”
Participating teams*:
Arizona Compass Prep (AZ)
Bishop Walsh School (MD)
Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Sunrise Christian (KS)
Wasatch Academy (UT)
*Additional teams, within and/or outside NIBC, are being considered and may be announced at a later date.
“I’m so excited to bring together the great basketball city of Wichita, the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference, Sunrise Christian Academy and other talented teams to compete under the same roof at Charles Koch Arena,” said Luke Barnwell. “It’s been a blessing to play against programs like Oak Hill Academy all over the country the last few seasons but I’m more excited to have these game here in Wichita. We are looking forward to three great nights of basketball in Wichita.”
The broadcast partner and details regarding ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
