Inaugural Quaker City Tournament Shines Bright Spotlight on Philadelphia High-School Girls Basketball

The Holiday season begins early on the campus of Philadelphia University this year as the Athletic Department teams up with One Child Saved this Saturday, December 22nd to present the inaugural Quaker City Tournament, featuring eight of the top Philadelphia-area high-school girls' basketball teams competing in a quadruple-header lineup of games.

Although the first game tips off at 1:00 p.m., the entertainment begins in the morning, as President of One Child Saved, Fox 29 sportscaster and SportsRadio 950 host Don Tollefson (pictured) broadcasts his "Other Side of Sports" radio program live from the Gallagher Center on 950-AM from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon.

Then, at 1:00 p.m., the first game of the afternoon pits Norristown High vs. Cardinal Dougherty in a matchup of teams with close ties to Philadelphia University women's basketball.  Norristown's girls varsity team is coached by Keith Webster, father of Lady Rams' senior standout forward Ashley Webster; while Lady Rams assistant coach Jim Munn is a former Dougherty assistant.  At 2:45 p.m., Bishop McDevitt takes on Little Flower, followed by Central Bucks East vs. Nazareth Academy at 4:30 p.m. The nightcap at 6:15 p.m. pits Mount St. Joseph Academy vs. Cardinal O'Hara.  John Miller, Head Coach at Mount St. Joseph, just recorded his 500th win as a head basketball coach when the Magic defeated Pennridge 62-29 on December 15th.

Admission to all the games is just $5 for adults and $3 for students with ID.  Parking is available in the garage directly underneath the Gallagher Center, located at 4201 Henry Avenue in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.  All proceeds from the event benefit One Child Saved, a non-profit youth service organization, founded by Tollefson in the late 1980's.  In its after-school and in-school programs, One Child Saved has enabled tens-of-thousands of disadvantaged youngsters to learn team-building skills, anti-hatred and anti-violence strategies and create personal educational and career plans and pathways.

Philadelphia University Director of Athletics and women's basketball Head Coach Tom Shirley expressed delight regarding the first-year event, "With the recently-concluded Philly High School Basketball Invitational, we have now hosted a premier boys' Holiday classic for five years.  Now with the Quaker City Tournament, we're more than excited to be able to showcase eight of the finest teams among the talent-rich pool of girls' teams in the area.  Moreover, it's another great way to involve the entire Philadelphia community in athletic events at the Gallagher Center.  And most importantly, we're proud of the fact that we are able to help Don Tollefson and the deserving youngsters at One Child Saved.  There's no better time than the Christmas season to lend a hand to Don's tireless efforts on behalf of the youth of our city."

Here is the complete schedule for Saturday:

Philadelphia Girls High-School Basketball
Inaugural Quaker City Tournament
Gallagher Athletic, Recreation and Convocation Center
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa. 19144
Saturday, December 22nd

• 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon: Live remote broadcast of the "Other Side of Sports," hosted by Don Tollefson on SportsRadio 950-AM
• 1:00 p.m., Game 1: Norristown High vs. Cardinal Dougherty
• 2:45 p.m., Game 2: Bishop McDevitt vs. Little Flower
• 4:30 p.m., Game 3: Central Bucks East vs. Nazareth Academy
• 6:15 p.m., Game 4: Mount St. Joseph Academy vs. Cardinal O'Hara

ADMISSION:       $5 for adults, $3 for students with ID - proceeds benefit One Child Saved