Posted 11:37 pm Monday, December 28, 2009
Dawkins Can Win No. 600 At Wagstaff
By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
A basketball bonanza begins today at Tyler Junior College as Bullard and T.K. Gorman tip off the annual Floyd Wagstaff Holiday Classic.
Staff Writer
A basketball bonanza begins today at Tyler Junior College as Bullard and T.K. Gorman tip off the annual Floyd Wagstaff Holiday Classic.
The Panthers and Crusaders clash, scheduled for 9 a.m., is the first of eight games to take place at Wagstaff Gymnasium on Day 1. The first four games will feature Apache Bracket teams with the Gold Bracket, comprised of Class 4A-5A teams, beginning play at 3 p.m. with Lindale taking on Sulphur Springs.
The rest of the Apache Bracket is comprised of Tatum, All Saints, Arp, Grace Community, Chapel Hill and Bullard Brook Hill.
The rest of the Apache Bracket is comprised of Tatum, All Saints, Arp, Grace Community, Chapel Hill and Bullard Brook Hill.
The Brook Hill and Chapel Hill game is set for 1:30 p.m. as Brook Hill’s Wally Dawkins goes for his 600th victory.
John Tyler is back at the Wagstaff Holiday Classic after reaching the championship game in its return last year. The Lions will open up against Mabank at 5:30 p.m. today.
Robert E. Lee is also staying in Tyler for the Christmas Holiday, competing in the Wagstaff Tournament for the first time in Alan Johnston’s six years as head coach. The Red Raiders will battle defending champion Whitehouse in the marquee game at 8:30 p.m. The winner will face either Jacksonville or Longview Tuesday in the second round.
The Wagstaff tournament may be new for Lee, but not Johnston. The Lee head coach piloted Chapel Hill for 20 seasons, all of which featured a Wagstaff appearance, before taking the helm of the Red Raiders.
“It’s going to be fun for us to be back in the Wagstaff,” Johnston said. “I am excited about it, and I think without a doubt our half of the bracket is pretty salty. We’ve seen Jacksonville, who’ve beaten us and Whitehouse played us toe-to-toe in a scrimmage early in the season.”
The last time Lee and Whitehouse met in the regular season was the 2008 Lindale Hoop Heaven. The Wildcats dominated in a 40-point victory.
The Red Raiders (11-3) are coming off a 77-58 victory over Longview last week while Whitehouse (4-9) is looking to turn its season around.
“(Whitehouse) has been missing some important pieces of his pie, and I’m sure with the Holiday rule, they’ll be there and playing against us, so we’ll get the best that they have to offer,” Johnston said. “Their record is not indicative of what they have. There is a tradition out there in Whitehouse, which is rich and real. They are going to bring their ‘A’ game for the Wagstaff.”
The tourney concludes on Wednesday with championship games set for 7 p.m. (Apache) and 8:30 p.m. (Gold).
All games are scheduled for Wagstaff Gymnasium. Tournament passes are $25 with session tickets $5 (adult) and $3 (students).
All proceeds benefit the Nell and Floyd Wagstaff Scholarship Fund.
The Wagstaff tournament may be new for Lee, but not Johnston. The Lee head coach piloted Chapel Hill for 20 seasons, all of which featured a Wagstaff appearance, before taking the helm of the Red Raiders.
“It’s going to be fun for us to be back in the Wagstaff,” Johnston said. “I am excited about it, and I think without a doubt our half of the bracket is pretty salty. We’ve seen Jacksonville, who’ve beaten us and Whitehouse played us toe-to-toe in a scrimmage early in the season.”
The last time Lee and Whitehouse met in the regular season was the 2008 Lindale Hoop Heaven. The Wildcats dominated in a 40-point victory.
The Red Raiders (11-3) are coming off a 77-58 victory over Longview last week while Whitehouse (4-9) is looking to turn its season around.
“(Whitehouse) has been missing some important pieces of his pie, and I’m sure with the Holiday rule, they’ll be there and playing against us, so we’ll get the best that they have to offer,” Johnston said. “Their record is not indicative of what they have. There is a tradition out there in Whitehouse, which is rich and real. They are going to bring their ‘A’ game for the Wagstaff.”
The tourney concludes on Wednesday with championship games set for 7 p.m. (Apache) and 8:30 p.m. (Gold).
All games are scheduled for Wagstaff Gymnasium. Tournament passes are $25 with session tickets $5 (adult) and $3 (students).
All proceeds benefit the Nell and Floyd Wagstaff Scholarship Fund.
