Holiday Hoops bringing in state’s best
Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006
FAYETTEVILLE — The Holiday Hoops Tournament usually showcases big-time prospects from out of state, but it will have plenty of homegrown stars this December.
Three Arkansans who are being hotly pursued by the Razorbacks will highlight the eight-team field Dec. 7-9 at Walton Arena.
Springdale Har-Ber swingman Nate Rakestraw, who has orally committed to Arkansas, will be on hand along with teammate Michael Sanchez, who also is mulling an offer from the Razorbacks. Also scheduled to take part in the tournament is Junction City, which is led by 6-6 James Anderson. Athlon Sports magazine ranks Anderson as the No. 24 senior in the nation, and Arkansas is making him a priority in its recruiting efforts.
Forrest City’s Marcus Britt and Stephen Weaver are also among the state’s elite 12 th-graders and will be at the tournament.
“You look at it, and we’ll probably have the top six seniors in the state,” Fayetteville Coach Barry Gebhart said at Thursday’s announcement of the field.
Other teams participating are Columbus (Miss. ) New Hope, Monroe (La. ) Richwood and Duncanville, Texas, which will have one of the top individual players in power forward D’Walyn Roberts, who has orally committed to Texas Tech.
Gebhart is familiar with many of the players who will be competing. Har-Ber is a conference rival, and Fayetteville has played Forrest City, which has emerged as one of the state’s most consistent winners.
“The only one I’m not familiar with is Anderson, and I’ve talked to enough high school coaches and college coaches to know he’s the real deal,” Gebhart said. “It ought to be entertaining for fans who come and watch.”
Bringing in premier players and teams has never been difficult. Last year’s final featured Dallas South Oak Cliff power forward Darrell Arthur, who signed with Kansas, squaring off against Newark (N. J. ) St. Benedict’s Lance Thomas (Duke ), David Cubillan (Marquette ) and Eugene Harvey (Seton Hall ).
Fan turnout hasn’t matched the talent level lately. The dates around Christmas make for conflicts, even though Gebhart said low prices for tournament passes and the quality of play make it a bargain for basketball fans.
“That’s the missing link,” Gebhart said. “We have everything in the world that we need except the fan support. We have to have folks come out and support the tournament.
“ If you’re a sports-minded fan, especially a Razorback sports-minded fan, these are guys that are going to be playing in the SEC and hopefully Arkansas. Nothing will make a stronger statement to these guys than to come in and play in a high school tournament with 6, 000 to 7, 000 people in the stands. That speaks well for sports in this area.”
Another change that officials hope will help attendance is that Fayetteville will co-host the tournament with the Springdale schools. It’s the first time in the 13-year history of the event that Fayetteville and the Springdale schools will share profits from the tournament.
“Both of our programs, Har-Ber and Springdale, are going to have a chance to play at a national level,” Springdale Athletic Director Annette Scoggins said. “But it’s also our community forming a partnership with Fayetteville and having the overall marketing value of it.”
Tournament officials expect a bracket and matchups to be announced within the next three weeks.
HOLIDAY HOOPS WHEN Dec. 7-9 WHERE Walton Arena in Fayetteville TEAMS ENTERED Fayetteville, Springdale, Springdale Har-Ber, Junction City, Forrest City, Columbus (Miss. ) New Hope, Duncanville, Texas, and Monroe (La. ) Richwood
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