Connecticut to send 13 high school teams to compete at Hoophall Invitational in January

Ten Connecticut boys basketball teams and three girls basketball teams will be playing in the second Panini Hoophall Invitational on Jan. 17-18, 2026 at several locations in the Springfield, Mass. area.

A total of 76 squads (56 for boys, 20 for girls) were invited from eight states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) for a weekend at the Birthplace of Basketball. That is up from 64 teams in the inaugural event. 

“I think, frankly, if we had more space in Springfield, we could have gone bigger than that,” said Greg Procino, the Vice President of External Events & Partnerships for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“There are a couple reasons why this kind of works. One, it gives teams an opportunity to play teams they don’t normally see. Second, it’s an opportunity to bring teams to the Hall of Fame, something teams don’t normally do. Third, you can be part of a big weekend of so much basketball. It’s an opportunity to feel like a part of something special.”

A few Connecticut teams are back for a second try. The New London boys and girls return, and are playing consecutive games at High School of Commerce on Jan. 17. The boys face Providence Central (R.I.) and the girls take on Albany (N.Y.). 

St, Bernard, a Division I boys finalist the last two years, also returns and will battle Barrington (R.I.) in the first game Jan. 17 at Pope Francis Preparatory School, followed by the Bristol Central girls vs. Barrington. The last game there pits the East Hartford boys against Pope Francis (Mass.).

The Glastonbury girls are also back, facing Pittsfield (Mass.) at Springfield Central. The Staples boys follow Glastonbury, taking on Taconic (Mass.).

Bunnell, the two-time CIAC Division III boys state champion, will face KIPP Capital (N.Y.) at Putnam High in Connecticut. At the High School of Science and Technology, the St. Joseph boys face Stony Brook (N.Y.), and two games later, the Stonington boys face Minnechaug. 

The Springfield International Charter School will host the Ridgefield girls vs. Minnechaug (Mass.) and the Tolland boys against Springfield International Charter.

The Weaver boys will take on Berne-Knox (N.Y.) at High School of Commerce

All Connecticut teams will either play a championship or consolation game Jan. 18 at the same site.

Running the same weekend, the Hoophall Classic (Jan. 15-19) field is expected to be announced Thursday, Procino said. All games will be played at Springfield College.