53rd Holiday Tourney tipped off on Monday

CCN Sports Editor

GREEN FOREST -- The 53rd Green Forest Holiday Tournament, sponsored by First National Bank of Green Forest, got under way Monday, Dec. 14, with four games on tap.

Teams from Eureka Springs, Huntsville, St. Paul, Kingston, Alpena, Berryville and Green Forest are facing off in a Classics-style format, with each team guaranteed to play at least twice.

Billed as the longest continuous basketball tournament in Arkansas, the Holiday Tournament is a fixture for area fans.

Championships have been dominated by the Huntsville Eagle teams in recent years. The Lady Eagles have won the tournament title since 2002 and have played in nine of the last 10 championships.

The Eagle boys have won the last four titles and also played in nine of the last 10 championships.

Also, former coach Fred Grim will be honored before the championship games with Tiger gym renamed in his honor as Fred Grim Gymnasium.

Monday's Games

Huntsville's girls played Alpena at 4:40, followed by the Eureka Springs/St. Paul boys. At 7:20 Green Forest and Eureka Springs girls played, with the nightcap between the Huntsville and Kingston boys.

Games continue on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Saturday's schedule as follows:

Saturday, Dec. 19

3:20 p.m.- Girls consolation championship; 4:40 p.m.- Boys consolation championship; 6 p.m.- Miss Merry Christmas crowning and Coach Fred Grim honor; 6:45- Girls championship game; 8:15 p.m.- Boys championship game.

All Tournament teams will be announced after each championship game.