Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament tips off today

Thursday, December 26, 2013

With the goal of being crowned champions Saturday night, eight girls' teams and eight boys' teams begin play today in the 2013 version of the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State.

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Action starts this morning at 10 and features four girls' games followed by four boys' game.

On Friday, starting with a girls' game at 10 a.m., girls' and boys' games will alternate throughout the day, culminating with semifinals. The same format goes for Saturday with fifth- and third-place games preceding the girls' final at 7 and the boys' final at 8:30.

Today's first game is GPS vs. East Hamilton. Brainerd is scheduled to take on Lookout Valley at 11:30 and Tyner faces Heritage at 1. Girls' action will wrap up with last year's champion Baylor playing Signal Mountain.

"It's a great tournament; a great atmosphere," Baylor girls' coach John Gibson said. "It's a chance to play in front of a big crowd, especially at night. You want to stay in the winners bracket."

Boys' games are scheduled to begin at 4 with Grace Academy playing Notre Dame. Last season's winner McCallie faces Tyner at 5:30.

"I thought last year after winning it and being shorthanded, it springboarded us to a decent year," McCallie coach Dan Wadley said. "It got us ready for region play, which is what I'm hoping for this year. We should have 12 kids there this year. They've been working hard and they're looking forward to it."

Baylor plays Boyd-Buchanan at 7. Play concludes with Ringgold taking on Ooltewah at 8:30.

Tickets are $8 per day. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.

Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/KelleySmiddie.