NEGAUNEE -- Negaunee Basketball, Inc. reminds participants that the deadline for the 2011 Negaunee Invitational Basketball Tournament is Friday, March 4.

No late entries will be accepted due to print deadlines for brackets.

The N.I.T., which is the largest basketball tournament in the Midwest, will run from March 18 through April 17, 2011, with more than 100 teams expected to enter the eight-class event.

Last year more than 100 teams participated in Classes A, B, C, DD, D, EE, E and 45 & Older.

Class A action will be held April 15, 16 and 17 and double-elimination Class B will be held April 8, 9 and 10.

The 45 & Older class will play April 1, 2 and 3.

New this year, a women’s division will be played March 25, 26 and 27.

The tournament committee also is attempting to schedule Class C on the same weekend, if possible.

Players can only play on one team and in one division except 45 & Older players.

Entry fee is $100 per team, and invitations can be downloaded from the NIT Web site or picked up in person from 317 Croix Street in Negaunee.

All proceeds from the tournament are donated back into the community; more than $5,000 was donated to various organizations in the area last year.