Information

Turkey and dressing and basketball

On Nov. 22 through Nov. 25, the small town of Lovelady(pop. 500) and the local high school will host the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Girls Basketball Tournament. One of the largest and surely the most unique tournaments to be found anywhere in Texas, will begin Wednesday morning and last until Saturday night where a new champion is crowned. For the past two years, the Bryan Lady Vikings have won The Championship Trophy. Bryan will be hard pressed to make it three championships in a row, having lost several key players, plus twelve new teams are participating this year.

Teams from as far away as Corydon, Iowa, Monticello, Arkansas, and Midland, Texas, will be traveling to lovelady hoping to get several games in over the weekend. Each year teams use this event to jump start their season. All teams will get to play three games and some will get lucky and be able to play four or five games.

Thirteen teams from class 5A are entered along with four from 4A. Also class 3A Division is sending 6 teams, including Westwood, Crockett and Hudson. Six class 2A schools, including Grapeland, Buffalo, and Central Heights and two class A schools, including Lovelady and Kennard round out the competition. All District, All Regional and all State Players will be putting their skills on display in front of several college recruiters. Last year's tournament included an All-American Player from Bryan Adams located in Dallas. Several players, playing here over the weekend have already committed or signed early with the college of their choice.

Last year approximately 30-40 college coaches made appearances over the Thanksgiving Holidays to watch for high school players who may meet the needs for their University. Every year the tournament has existed, player from this tournament have ended up with basketball scholarships because of their play over the holidays.

Wayne Community High School from Corydon , Iowa is making their 2nd trip to east Texas by Traveling 881.9 miles. Midland, a new comer to the tournament will be making the 500 mile trip and will be one of the teams to watch over the weekend. Drew Central, located in Monticello, Arkansas will be making the 533.2 mile trip for the 12th time in thirteen years.

San Antonio Churchill and San Antonio Holmes, two 5A schools will both be making their first appearance in east Texas. Other teams appearing for the first time are Anahuac, Buffalo, Palestine, Anderson, Ursuline(Dallas) and Hudson.

Tickets are on sell at Lovelady High School. Ten dollars for an entire weekend pass, or $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. Eight games will be played on Wednesday, 17 games on Thursday, 20 games on Friday, and 15 games on Saturday. There is a total of thirty-one teams and sixty games.

1. This tournament has bee sanctioned by The National Federation of State High School Associations. All out of state teams have been granted permission to participate.

6. The junior high gym will be available for teams to shoot around starting anytime on Wednesday.

7. On Thursday, there might be a slight problem with eating places being closed because of Thanksgiving Day. The Golden Corral in Crockett, Texas will be open with a Thanksgiving Buffet. You might want to call ahead if your team plans on eating there for lunch. Phone # 936-544-2425.

10. There will be only 300 tournament passes printed for $10.00 each. This pass is good for all games in all three gyms. Tickets will go fast. Remind your parents and fans to buy early.

11. If you have any additional questions, please contact me at school or at home.

***We look forward to seeing you. Have a safe trip and welcome to a very unique girls basketball tournament.***