Battle by the Bay was started by Donnie Marsh, an associate head coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Banks said, as a way for Atlantic City to prepare for postseason play. The tradition continues, but the event also raises money for a scholarship program.

Over $100,000.00 in scholarship money were given to Atlantic City High School students. Banks works with others on the committee to secure corporate sponsorships, rooms for teams traveling far distances and food.

Are you ready for some basketball? As we get ready for the 18th annual Battle by the Bay season, Wilbur Banks - better known as Tinker around Atlantic City High School - will be standing in the corner checking out the event.

Banks, recreation director for the city of Atlantic City, started putting together this year's Battle by the Bay last June. He scoured information on teams locally and around the region to find some of the best to compete in the three-day invitational.

"This is not a 'me' operation," said Banks, chairman of the Battle by the Bay committee. "We all work on this together. This is what you see after everyone's hard work."

"Everyone plays an intricate part," Banks said. "I delegate and try to get everyone to do their job. We have a good working nucleus here."

The event features nine games with various teams vs. Atlantic City in boys basketball. The Pleasantville-Atlantic City game has become a tradition and is usually packed to capacity with fans.

"We bring in teams the community can relate to," Banks said. "We bring in local teams. We like to keep it simple."