Fort Myers hosts inaugural TNT Classic, boosting local high school basketball

FORT MYERS, Fla. - High school basketball took center stage in Fort Myers with the inaugural TNT Classic on Saturday.

The event, presented by the North Law Firm, brought action and community spirit to the Suncoast Credit Union Arena.

The TNT Classic kicked off with the Cypress Lake Panthers facing the Island Coast Gators, followed by the Lehigh Senior Lightning taking on the Dunbar Tigers. Fans filled the arena with cheers as bands played and cheerleaders energized the crowd.

Organizers said every ticket sold contributed directly to the schools’ teams, cheerleaders, and bands, making it a memorable night of basketball and community.

Terry Thimlar, a retired coach and athletic director, teamed up with attorney Joe North to create the TNT Classic. Thimlar's family founded the famous City of Palms Classic, and he expressed his desire to bring high school basketball back to Fort Myers.

"I just want to give back," said Thimlar. "Basketball has been my life in athletics, so I thought this was a great way of doing it."

"I worked at all four of those schools," Thimlar said. "I want to give back to those four schools. They were special to me, and they're still special to me."

The TNT Classic aims to become a new tradition for high school basketball, offering students, teams, and fans an unforgettable night.