LEWES — Bayhealth will be the presenting sponsor of the 2023 Hoophall East at Slam Dunk to the Beach elite high school basketball showcase Dec. 26-29 at Cape Henlopen High School.

The partnership comes just over four months after opening Bayhealth Total Care on U.S. 9 in Milton and is an opportunity for the health system to connect with community members and visitors. Revived by the Delaware Sports Commission in 2014 and drawing over 4,500 attendees in 2022, Slam Dunk to the Beach has been a staple event in Sussex County for nearly a decade.

It merged with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Hoophall brand in 2021 to become Hoophall East, one of four regional high school invitationals backed by the organization.

As Bayhealth continues to expand its footprint in Kent and Sussex counties, the pairing with Slam Dunk just made sense.

“This opportunity really couldn’t have come at a better time for us, with our recent addition to the Sussex County health care landscape in Bayhealth Total Care,” said Amanda Bowie, interim vice president of marketing, communications and community engagement. “We’re looking forward to connecting with the fans and telling them about the Bayhealth services that are right in their backyard or available to them when they’re visiting.”

Bayhealth’s focus on community health and combating social determinants of health is also front and center.

“We’re also proud to support an event that promotes physical health, as well as the pursuit of higher education,” said Ms. Bowie. “Both things only point to a healthier community overall, and that is and will continue to be a huge focus of ours, as we further enhance our population health and community engagement efforts in the coming year.”

The event’s chair, Dr. Matthew Robinson, welcomed the health system’s cooperation.

“Slam Dunk to the Beach is so excited to have Bayhealth as our presenting sponsor for this year’s event. We welcome the opportunity to generate awareness of Bayhealth’s new facility and of all the great services Bayhealth provides to promote the health and well-being of the good people of Sussex County.”