York, PA - A big opportunity for girls' basketball players, coaches and referees will take place this week at the York Expo Center when the county hosts the Blue Chip Basketball USA Invitational that runs July 5-8.

In all, 248 teams from Vermont to West Virginia will hit the courts at the Toyota Arena. Each squad will play six games over the four days in front of an estimated 500 coaches from colleges big and small.

Several local teams from around York County and central Pennsylvania will participate in the showcase -- the largest of its kind in the country.

Blue Chip Basketball owner Bill McDonough is looking forward to coming to York, but as of Friday night, he wasn't ready to relax.

"It is quite a challenge because we've been in State College for a long time," he said. "At State College we had all the courts set up on campus. Here, we are creating 20 courts, so we had to bring in 20 courts and 40 hoops.

"Once we get to see the place finished, then I will be excited. Until then, I will have worries."

McDonough said that in July the more serious AAU teams will travel to various events like this one. He added that of the nearly 4,000 players who will be at the event, only 10 percent are Division I college-bound, making these showcases great opportunities for hopeful athletes to be watched by colleges at all levels.

Another component of the showcase is for the refs who are looking to rise among the NCAA division ranks, as each

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will have a chance to be evaluated while officiating the games.

The NCAA-certified event, landed by the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, will also provide an economic boost for local tourism with nearly 3,000 athletes, coaches and families staying in hotels and eating at area restaurants.

@stevenavaroli; 771-2060