Sept. 30, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and T-Mobile USA, Inc., officially announced Wednesday that the 2009 T-Mobile Invitational will be held Dec. 29-30 at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University.

Eight teams will participate in the event, led by two Alabama high schools: the Hoover High School girls' basketball team and the Butler High School boys' basketball team.

Other teams participating on the boys' side include Houston (Texas) Yates High School, Covington (Washington) Kentwood High School and Winter Park (Florida) High School. Rounding out the girls' field will be Stockton (California) St. Mary's High School, Nashville (Tennessee) Hillsboro High School and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Mt. Lebanon High School.

"We are elated to be selected as the host for the 2009 T-Mobile Invitational," said Pete Hanna Center Director Sean Wright. "This is an outstanding event for the Samford University campus and the entire Birmingham metropolitan area, and we look forward to providing a first-rate event for players, coaches and fans alike."

The T-Mobile Invitational is in its fourth year, being held previously at the University of Washington in 2006, the University of New Mexico in 2007 and Ball State University last year.

Tickets for the T-Mobile Invitational will go on sale later this fall. For complete tournament information, visit the tournament website at www.t-mobileinvitational.com as well as the Pete Hanna Center website at www.samford.edu/ops/hanna.