Tampa Set to Host Tampa Holiday Classic at Bob Martinez Athletic Center

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa will host the Tampa Holiday Classic on December 20–21 at the Bob Martinez Athletic Center, featuring four competitive matchups to kick off the holiday season. The event will also serve as a community toy drive, with fans receiving free admission with the donation of a new toy.

Action begins on Friday, December 20, with Tampa taking on Indianapolis at 3:00 p.m., followed by Eckerd versus St. Thomas Aquinas at 5:00 p.m. The Classic continues on Saturday, December 21, as Eckerd faces Indianapolis at 3:00 p.m., before Tampa closes the weekend against St. Thomas Aquinas at 5:00 p.m.

The host Spartans enter the weekend at 5–4 overall (1–3 SSC) under head coach Linc Darner, returning home for the first time since the Thanksgiving Classic in November. Tampa is coming off a key win over Lynn University and has seen strong performances from Ryan Blount, Camden McCormick, Trey Lane, and B.J. Schaeffer after navigating a challenging early conference schedule.

Indianapolis arrives with a 5–4 overall record and a perfect 3–0 mark in GLVC play, led by head coach Scott Heady. The Greyhounds are paced by key contributors Carmelo Harris, Kelvin Amoako, and Shaun Arnold.

Eckerd College enters the Classic at 5–4 overall (1–3 SSC) under head coach Bryan Galuski, with Koa Baker, Wyatt Triestman, Miquel Llompart, and Jacob Davis leading the Tritons.

St. Thomas Aquinas rounds out the field at 6–5 overall and 3–1 in ECC play, coached by Matthew Capell. The Spartans are led by Derrick James, Starrell Hearns, who recently joined the 1,000-point club, and William Landram II.

With evenly matched teams and high-level competition, the Tampa Holiday Classic promises exciting basketball and a festive atmosphere to start the holiday season while giving back to the community.