Hoops for Kids’ Sake charity basketball tournament set for March 4
by February 5, 2025 6:21 am 230 views

Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Arkansas State Senate, Office of the Governor of Arkansas, and Office of the Arkansas Attorney General will square off for a worthwhile cause at Hoops for Kids’ Sake, the annual charity basketball tournament benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas (BBBSCA) and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.
The tournament will be held on Tuesday, March 4 at 6pm at the Eddie L. Boone & Oliver Fitzpatrick, Jr. Fieldhouse at Little Rock Central High School. General admission tickets cost $10 and will be available at the door.
The tournament will be played in a 3-on-3 format, with the winners of two key games playing for the championship title. The games include:
- Game 1: Office of the Governor v. Office of the Attorney General – The team from the Office of the Governor won the inaugural game against the team from the Office of the Attorney General in 2024.
- Game 2: Arkansas House v. Arkansas Senate – This is the 10th time this game has been played. Dating back to 2014, the Senate leads the series 6-3 after its sixth consecutive win last year. The game resumed in 2023 after a three-year break following the 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Game 3: Championship – The winners of Game 1 and Game 2 will play for the championship title. The Governor’s Office won the inaugural overall title in 2024.
“Hoops for Kids’ Sake is a special tradition that brings the Arkansas Legislature together for a great cause — supporting the incredible work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas,” said Arkansas Speaker of the House Brian Evans, R-Cabot. “While we may be rivals on the court, we are united in our commitment to helping children across our state. I encourage Arkansans to come out, cheer us on and support Arkansas kids.”
Arkansas House and Senate members will also participate in Olympiad-style contests such as free throws, three-pointers, half-court shots, dodge ball and more. Since its inception in 2013, the tournament has raised more than $250,000.
“The Senate looks forward to supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters and the CAC of Arkansas on the court as we go head-to-head versus the House,” said Arkansas Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs. “The burden to defend our back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back wins is weighty, but we are ready.”
The tournament will be played for the third time at Little Rock Central High School, the alma mater of Gov. Sarah Sanders, who will coach the governor’s team for the second time after leading them to the overall victory in last year’s inaugural tournament.
“As Governor I wear a lot of hats, but ‘Coach’ might be one of my favorites,” said Gov. Sanders. “The Governor’s Office is proud to return this year as the tournament’s reigning champions and defend our title. And we’re even prouder that this event contributes to a great cause.”
“This is a fun tradition benefiting a worthy cause, and my office had a great time last year playing against the Governor’s staff,” said Attorney General Tim Griffin. “We hope to come away with a win this year and have an opportunity to square off against the House or Senate in the finals. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas do phenomenal and important work, and I am proud to lend my support to them.”