Marblehead Welcomes Celtics' 2008 NBA Trophy, Lucky For Tip-Off Night

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The scholastic basketball season in Marblehead is kicking off in a big way early next month with a "Tip-Off Night" that includes an appearance by Boston Celtics' living mascot Lucky and the Celtics' 2008 NBA championship trophy.

The Marblehead Basketball Tip-Off Night will celebrate the start of the basketball season for all boys, girls, youth, middle and high school programs on Dec. 9. All students are invited to attend and participate regardless of experience in the sport.

Friends of Marblehead Basketball are presenting the night where a $20 admission fee includes a T-shirt, the ability to take pictures with the championship trophy and for those in grades 4 and above also to take part in shooting competitions with Marblehead teachers, including a free throwing shooting contest to crown "Marblehead's Best Free Throw Shooter."

The Marblehead varsity boys and girls teams will be introduced to the crowd, Lucky will show off his agility and basketball skills, and there will be food concessions and raffles of NBA jerseys and tickets to pro sports events.

The Marblehead High gym opens at 6:30 p.m. with the event running from 7 to 9.

The event will be held in conjunction with the Marblehead Girls Travel League, Marblehead Youth Basketball Association and Marblehead Parks & Recreation.

Email Friendsofmhdbasketball@gmail.com for more information.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)