Celeste, Community, and Bailey will dive headlong into the Class B Regional basketball tournament in Sherman today, all three with hopes (hoops) of making the long - awaiting trip to Austin and the Class B State Tournament.
But only one team can go from Region 3 and that no doubt will be the best team.
Teams competing in the tournament will be Petrolia, Slidell, Bailey, Oklaunion, Community, Annona, Celeste, and Collinsville.
Celeste
Celeste, which went to the finals of this same tournament last year before losing a close one to McGargle will be one of the favorites again this season.
The Blue Devils, sporting a classy 30 - 7 season record, are in good shape as far as depth is concerned on the team and have about seven boys who could share starting honors on the first quintet fielded by Coach G. W. Tillerson
They include Joe Tillerson, Bud Roach, David Pruitt, Jerry Weatherley, Lloyd Lanier, Ronnie Clinton, and Mark Hackney. Tillerson is the leading scorer on the team, averaging around twenty-five points per game.
Celeste Game
The District 43 - B champions and bi - district champs will collide with Collinsville in the final game on the bracket tonight. The game beings at 8:15 PM.
Collinsville, which drew a bye to miss the bi - district circle, has an 18 - 7 record and is champion of District 39 - B.
This is the fourth straight year for Celeste to be in the state playoffs following a district basketball championship.
Community
Community, champions of District 42 - B, is in the Regional tournament via a bye in the bi - district round. Community, with an 18 - 6 season records, lost only one game in its district schedule, posting a 13 - 1 record.
The Braves played the first evening game in the he tournament at 7:00 PM, clashing with Annona. Annona defeated Roxton 75 - 64 to gain the Regional tournament.
The stalwarts for Community will be Donald McGuire, just named to the loop all - district team, David Stanfield, Williams Rushing, Ross Powell, and Monte Geren. McGuire is the leading scorer on the team, averaging eighteen points per game. Stanfield is hitting at an 11.5 pace per game.
Bailey
Bailey, which had the misfortune of losing its fine player, Jackie London, via a leg injury, but still defeated Savoy 75 - 58 in the bi - district round, will take the second game on the bracket at 4:15 PM against Oklaunion.
Bailey, with its 35 - 3 season record, has the best season mark of any team in the tournament and also is a favorite. Oklaunion will bring a 21 - 3 record into the game. Oklaunion downed McGargle 59 - 57 in bi - district.
London, however, played against Savoy despite his injury and will probably see limited action against Oklaunion. He is the tallest member of the squad.
Others include Derrell London, J. D. Jones, Ray Grisham, Weldon English, Gary McMurry, Joe Cox, and Mike Lumpkins. Cox was the high scorer for Bailey against Savory with twenty-seven points. The two London cousins each hit for twelve points and Jones tallied ten.
Petrolia and Slidell, the tournament favorite, will open the meet at 3:00 PM on Friday. Slidell bring a 34 - 4 season record into the tourney and defeated Rio Vista 75 - 57 in bi - district. Petrolia is 28 - 7.
The semi-finals for the four remaining teams after Friday's four-game session will be played on Saturday at 10:00 AM and 11: 15 AM. Playoff for the third place of the two Saturday morning losers will be at 7:00 PM Saturday. The championship game will be played at 8:15 PM Saturday.
The bracket is as follows:
Petrolia -vs- Slidell at 3:00 PM, Friday
Bailey -vs- Oklaunion at 4:15 PM, Friday
Community -vs- Annona at 7:00 PM, Friday
Celeste -vs- Collinsville at 8:15 PM, Friday
Petrolia -vs- Slidell winner -vs- Bailey -vs- Oklaunion winner at 10:00 AM, Saturday
Community -vs- Annona winner -vs- Celeste -vs- Collinsville winner, 11:15 AM, Saturday
(Undated clipping)
Submitted by Sarah Swindell
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