Junior Scottie Adkinson goes up for a layup against two defenders from Principia School during the varsity basketball Jamboree held on Thursday, Nov. 20. The game was held in Roberts Gym and ended in a 38-57 loss for the Statesmen. Photo by Sam Enlund
Varsity basketball will compete in new travel tournaments this year, adding to the usual Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament in Pittsburg, KS, on Jan. 22-24.
Following basketball’s win in State last season, the team has been invited to compete in more tournaments, adding to its already busy schedule. This year’s tournament and travel game schedule includes the Southeast Classic in Nashville against Centennial, based out of California, on Nov. 29, which the Statesmen won 60-56.
The team will play in the Capitol City Classic in Salem, OR, Dec. 19-23, the Highland Shootout vs Inglewood, CA, on Jan. 10, the MLK the Dream Classic vs Marist in Flossmoor, IL, on Jan. 18, the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament in Pittsburg, KS, on Jan. 22-24, the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout on Feb. 7, and the Matthew Dickey Shootout at Normandy vs Vashon on Feb. 14.
About the tournaments, head coach Justin Mathes said, “Some of them offer unique experiences like the chance to play teams we’ve never competed against before in cities like Nashville or Salem, OR. Those give our guys a chance to see parts of the country that they may not have gotten to visit before. Ultimately, I’m trying to prepare our team for the postseason by playing difficult opponents and hopefully make some awesome memories in the process. Other events offer the chance to play in front of college coaches that may not normally see our team and hopefully can generate some interest in our players.”
Mathes added some of the tournaments are used to raise money for certain organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Optimist Club.
The Highland Shootout, raising money for the Optimist Club, describes the event on its website.
The website says, “The Highland Shootout brings elite high school basketball to Highland, Illinois—seven games, nonstop action, and a stage built for future stars.”
With the new travel tournaments, the team has had to figure out transportation and lodging. Because some of the tournaments include so many teams and foster highly competitive atmospheres, the tournaments get funding from high level corporations. The Capital City Classic is being funded by Toyota and the Highland Shootout is sponsored by the Apex Network.
The tournaments or shootouts will cover lodging and transportation in almost every case.
Besides the travel and costs, the tournaments will provide a number of opportunities for the teams and specifically the athletes.
Mathes said, “Our status as a Nike Elite HS program is going to allow us to tour the Nike Global Headquarters in Portland, OR, which should be a fun opportunity.”
Senior Quincy Williams said, “I feel more excitement than anything. Gives us the opportunity to get better and prepare us for the playoffs, along with it giving me the personal opportunity to showcase myself in front of more eyes and college coaches.”
Williams added, “The coolest part has got to be visiting these new places and seeing all different basketball. I’ve never been to Oregon before, but playing on this team has blessed me with the opportunity to take that trip, so that’s pretty cool to me.”
The team has already played in the Southeast Classic in Nashville against Centennial High School, and will host their annual tournament at Webster from Dec. 11-13.
Sam Enlund-Social Media/Sports Editor
This will be Sam Enlund’s third year on ECHO staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year.
