The holiday season is a time for celebration, but also for some exciting basketball action in the Ozarks. Several holiday basketball tournaments got underway on Monday, featuring some of the best teams and players in the region. Here are some of the highlights and results from the first day of the tournaments.
The Blue & Gold Tournament is one of the most prestigious and oldest holiday basketball tournaments in the state, dating back to 1946. The tournament is divided into two divisions: Blue and Gold, each with 16 teams. The Blue Division features some of the top Class 2, 3, and 4 teams in the area, while the Gold Division showcases some of the best Class 5 and 6 teams.
In the Blue Division, the first round saw some close games and some blowouts. The top seed, Hartville, had no trouble with Buffalo, winning 68-33 behind 23 points from Jalon Cryer. The defending champions, Ozark, also cruised to a 52-34 win over Reeds Spring, with Hudson Roberts and Jace Whatley scoring 10 points each. Sparta pulled off an upset over Mountain Grove, winning 64-60 in overtime, thanks to 20 points from Steven Brown. Bolivar, Camdenton, Ash Grove, Hillcrest, and Republic also advanced to the quarterfinals with convincing wins over their opponents.
The quarterfinal matchups for the Blue Division are:
- Hartville vs. Camdenton
- Bolivar vs. Sparta
- Ozark vs. Hillcrest
- Republic vs. Ash Grove
Blue & Gold Tournament: Gold Division
The Gold Division of the Blue & Gold Tournament also featured some exciting games and some dominant performances. The top seed, Greenwood, showed why they are the favorites to win the division, as they routed Hollister 84-36, with Aminu Mohammed scoring 29 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. The second seed, Kickapoo, also had an easy win over Aurora, 77-36, with Isaac Haney leading the way with 24 points. Nixa, Willard, Lebanon, Marshfield, Strafford, and Fair Grove also won their first round games and advanced to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal matchups for the Gold Division are:
- Greenwood vs. Fair Grove
- Nixa vs. Strafford
- Kickapoo vs. Marshfield
- Willard vs. Lebanon
Pink & White Lady Classic: Pink Division
The Pink & White Lady Classic is another holiday basketball tournament that features some of the best girls teams in the area. The tournament is also divided into two divisions: Pink and White, each with 16 teams. The Pink Division features some of the top Class 2, 3, and 4 teams in the area, while the White Division showcases some of the best Class 5 and 6 teams.
In the Pink Division, the first round saw some close games and some upsets. The top seed, Strafford, had a tough time with Branson, but managed to pull out a 54-48 win, with Hayley Frank scoring 21 points and Emma Compton adding 18 points. The second seed, West Plains, also had a close game with Rogersville, but prevailed 53-49, with MacKenzie Brunson scoring 19 points and Makenna VanZant adding 15 points. Marshfield, Skyline, Clever, Fair Grove, Mt. Vernon, and Blue Eye also won their first round games and advanced to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal matchups for the Pink Division are:
- Strafford vs. Blue Eye
- Marshfield vs. Mt. Vernon
- West Plains vs. Fair Grove
- Skyline vs. Clever
Pink & White Lady Classic: White Division
The White Division of the Pink & White Lady Classic also featured some exciting games and some dominant performances. The top seed, Kickapoo, showed why they are the favorites to win the division, as they defeated Buffalo 72-23, with Indya Green scoring 18 points and Bella Fontleroy adding 17 points. The second seed, Ozark, also had a convincing win over Hillcrest, 69-28, with Katie Mayes scoring 16 points and Anna Hitt adding 15 points. Nixa, Republic, Lebanon, Parkview, Central, and Bolivar also won their first round games and advanced to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal matchups for the White Division are:
- Kickapoo vs. Bolivar
- Nixa vs. Central
- Ozark vs. Parkview
- Republic vs. Lebanon
Other Holiday Basketball Tournaments
Besides the Blue & Gold Tournament and the Pink & White Lady Classic, there are also other holiday basketball tournaments happening in the Ozarks. Here are some of the results and highlights from the first day of those tournaments:
- In the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic, the top seed, Walnut Grove, defeated Morrisville 45-30, with Logan Thomazin scoring 18 points and Ryker Strong adding 14 points. The second seed, Miller, also won over Ash Grove 42-33, with Andrew Mitchell scoring 16 points and Colton Teal adding 10 points. Sparta, Fordland, Blue Eye, Marionville, Pierce City, and Verona also advanced to the quarterfinals.
- In the Weaubleau Tournament, the top seed, Weaubleau, defeated Golden City 63-41, with Tyler Jenkins scoring 22 points and Kaden Kelley adding 15 points. The second seed, Lakeland, also won over Osceola 66-40, with Jace Keith scoring 18 points and Kaden Keith adding 16 points. Crocker, Laquey, Butler, and Humansville also advanced to the quarterfinals.
- In the Neosho Holiday Classic, the top seed, Webb City, defeated McDonald County 66-36, with Terrell Kabala scoring 19 points and Nickhai Howard adding 15 points. The second seed, Nevada, also won over Carl Junction 55-44, with Logan Applegate scoring 21 points and Matt Thompson adding 12 points. Neosho, East Newton, Seneca, Joplin, Carthage, and Springfield Catholic also advanced to the quarterfinals.