Seven of the eight Wright County public school varsity basketball teams will be competing among three holiday tournaments starting this Saturday, Dec. 26.
Both the Hartvillle and Mountain Grove boys basketball team will competing in the Blue Division of the Blue and Gold Tournament.
The Mountain Grove girls basketball team is hosting their annual tournament. Both Mansfield and Hartville girls programs are also a part of the annual bracket.
Meanwhile, boys basketball teams from Norwood and Mansfield will be battling 14 other teams in the Cabool Holiday Tournament. Only the Norwood girls basketball team will not be playing this week. Their holiday tournament takes place in a couple of weeks at Sparta.
This will be my first time covering the Blue and Gold Tournament in 15 years.
Back during 2002-2005, I use to dread covering the event. It had nothing to do about enjoying the event on the floor. It was more about my inability to drive to the east coast to see my family for the holidays until the holiday tournaments were over. The tournaments once started right after Christmas and games were played in consecutive days for the Blue and Gold as well as the Pink and White basketball tournaments. I also had the wrestling tournament to cover in Parkview.
Fortunately, through the years, organizers of the tournaments have made changes for the better to accommodate families wishing to have the priceless time of visiting their loved ones over the holidays.
Be sure to attend a game or two during Dec. 26-31. See the schedules on page B7 of this week’s issue.
