For the eighth time, the Fresh Coast Basketball Classic returns to Milwaukee on Thanksgiving weekend to pit Milwaukee City Conference high school basketball teams against suburban teams in a set of fun matches.
It’s a celebration that commemorates academic achievement, tradition and sportsmanship that will again be an entertainment- filled, family-friendly weekend with something for everyone.
On Friday Nov. 28, the weekend will kick off with the MEGA Drumline showcase, featuring six teams from around the area. Teams will be presented awards after their performances.
In addition, the Fresh Coast Classic will pay a special tribute to the 1959 North-Lincoln State Championship Team in recognition of the 100-year anniversary of the WIAA Boys State Basketball Championships.
The tribute, filmed by the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, will show how, during the height of segregation and racial tension in Milwaukee, two predominantly black MPS high school basketball teams made history by playing in the state finals.
It was the first time in Wisconsin history that two Milwaukee teams had played in the state championship.
The entire experience forged lifelong bonds and friendships between players of both teams.
Several of the players went on to become prominent figures in Milwaukee.
During Friday’s halftime performance, renowned R&B artist Ray Nitti will perform his own anti-violence song, “Ceasefire”.
The following day’s halftime show will include a performance by the Roselette Dancers of the Clinton Rose Senior Center.
These spirited dancers range in age from 59- years-old to 83-years-old.
The Milwaukee high school teams set to play on Friday are Milwaukee Morse-Marshall, Milwaukee Tech, Riverside, and King.
On Saturday, the Milwaukee School of Languages girls’ team will play in addition to Hamilton, South, Messmer, Vincent, and Washington.
All of these teams will play their suburban counterparts at the Klotsche Center, located on the UW-Milwaukee campus on Downer Avenue.
