Athletics director seeks girls tourney for 2004 season
The guest list for the Tonganoxie Invitational Tournament could get longer in the coming years.
An eight-team boys field has been the norm for nearly 45 years, but Tonganoxie High athletics director Brandon Parker is working on a girls tournament as well.
“People would enjoy more bang for their buck,” Parker said.
For Tonganoxie, the event would keep fans from coordinating travel and time to see both boys and girls teams. This year, the girls played in the Raider Classic at Immaculata in Leavenworth. Because of scheduling and success in the bracket, fans could see both teams play, but having the teams at one site would be better, the athletics director said.
Initially, the field could be small because teams usually have two-year contracts with tournaments. But once more teams are available, Tonganoxie’s tournament could get larger, something Parker is eager to see.
“The goal is to bring in as much basketball as we can get in here,” Parker said.
The 44th annual boys invitational Jan. 20-25 included Atchison, Eudora, Jeff West, Lansing, Olathe Christian, Osklaoosa, Pleasant Ridge and Tonganoxie.
Atchison usurped Eudora’s two-year run as tournament champions, while Tonganoxie took fourth. The event also features free-throw and three-point contests, cheerleading and dance team performances and a queen coronation.