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The Maryland National Hoops Classic, which will be held at Henry. A. Wise High School Dec. 28-30, unveiled its major sponsors on Wednesday morning, and tournament organizers discussed plans for future expansion.

WPGC-FM 95.5, DTLR — formerly Downtown Locker Room — the U.S. Army, Comfort Inn, Russell Athletics, Chic-Fil-A and Deer Park are the major sponsors of the tournament, which will include eight boys' basketball teams. Sponsorship packages range from "$20 to $20,000," according to Prince George's Black Chamber of Commerce President Petey Green, whose organization is presenting the tournament in conjunction with the Prince George's Schools Athletic Association. Green said sponsorship continues to grow and expects the event's $60,000 to $70,000 price tag will be covered.

"I believe that this will go down as one of the greatest tournaments in the area," Green said. "As of now we have about 30 to 40 interested sponsors, and we are still working to get more. Hopefully we can continue to entice potential sponsors."

Green said last month that the tournament planned to pay for flights and hotels for players, coaches and administrators from Herbert Hoover High of San Diego and Raleigh Egypt High of Memphis, Tenn. The other six teams in the tournament are from the region, including Wise, Bladensburg, Friendly, J.E.B. Stuart of Falls Church, Va., Mergenthaler of Baltimore and Coolidge of the District.

Hawkins previously said the county athletic association will keep 90 percent of the gate receipts, with the Prince George's Black Chamber of Commerce receiving the other 10 percent. The gate could be considerable, as Wise's gym holds 5,000.

Tournament organizers also discussed plans to include an eight-team girls' bracket "conceivably as early as next year," said Green, who added that the event could one day include as many as 32 teams.

Prince George's County Public Schools Athletic Director and tournament executive director Earl Hawkins, county schools Superintendent William Hite Jr., Board Chairman Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, John Love of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and former NBA player and Crossland High School/University of Maryland alumnus Walt Williams spoke at the event. Players and coaches from Wise, Bladensburg and Friendly also attended.

"I think anytime there's national exposure to what our students are capable of here, either athletically or academically, it is a great opportunity for our school system," Hite said. "It is a great opportunity to offer our student-athletes here with exposure to other programs and to see the athletic talents of the students as well as the academic talents of those students."

Bladensburg coach Jim Butler said his school is honored to be involved.

"It's a highlight for the school," Butler said. "Hopefully it will make kids at the school understand that this is the type of program that will make athletics better there. I think the county needs this desperately. It's going to accentuate the talent."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.