Little side bar :2022 TOC

[BEARZ77]

One of the more disappointing aspects of the covid impact on sports for Springfield this year was the cancellation of the 2021 Tournament of Champions high school showcase in Springfield. Annually one of the very best HS tournaments in the country , it draws top teams, talent, coaches and big crowds.It will always have a couple nationally ranked teams and every roster will be dotted with top 100 kids from 2-3 recruiting classes. The # and names of top players who have played in the tournament is like a who's who of college basketball and later pro all stars. The format is a traditional 8 team tourney in which 6 of the best HS teams in the country participate along with 2 local teams. It makes for fantastic basketball and theater every year. One of the really fun things is how well attended by many of college bb top coaches it is and the opportunity to interact some with them is a rare. treat. If you want to spend 3 days watching as good of HS basketball as can be had, make a plan to attend in a coming year, the schedule is usually a Thursday - Sat in early Jan. and every team plays a full 3 games down to a 7th/8th place game. But if you want lower level and good seats plan ahead as it draws large crowds annually.

Anyway the field for next year [2022] has been announced and it's a typical packed tourney headlined by a visit from Sierra Canyon featuring Brony James [ # 19 in class of 23] and two teammates who are top 30 in class of 22. Also participating are Milton Georgia, Whitney Young of Chicago, Paul VI of Virginia, Ranier Beach of Seattle, and Putnam City Okl. The two local teams are Parkview HS of Springfield and neighboring Nixa HS. Local teams are always picked as a projection of the top local teams for the coming year, while the national teams are more picked based on star power, though most are also highly ranked in their states and nationally. Most of the national teams have made multiple appearances over the years , so you get familiar with their programs and coaches over the years as well. Teams like Monte Verde , Christ the King, Tenn White Station, Sierra Canyon etc make the field consistently over the years.

Anyway, just a little diversion from the MVC season, and like I said, well worth a 3 day trip if you like great HS basketball.