Local teams get draw for Arby's Classic

From the Bristol Herald-Courier
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Brien Crowder has something in common with many of the other coaches that will be visiting Viking Hall the day after Christmas "? a large state championship ring adorns his left hand.

Crowder, coach of Antioch (Tenn.) High School, was present at the annual Arby's Classic press conference Sunday afternoon.

Seven coaches were on hand to pick their upcoming matchups for the Arby's Classic beginning on Dec. 26. Tennessee High drew at Dec. 26 game against tournament regulars Irmo, S.C. Twin Springs will face Urspring, Germany, in a play-in game and Gate City also will face an athletic Bahamian school, Tabernacle Baptist, in a play-in matchup.

"We're bringing a very young team," said Crowder, who coaches at the second-largest school in Tennessee. "We'll probably be starting five juniors."

Gate City will have the arduous task of facing an ever-athletic Tabernacle squad that is starting three sophomores this season.

"We like playing against athletic teams," said Gate City coach Scott Vermillion. "It gives up a great check where we are defensively and where we want to go. They are athletic but so are we."

If Twin Springs wins its play-in game it will have to go on and face Holy Cross High School, which is located in New Orleans. Holy Cross was one of the schools that was affected by Hurricane Katrina last year.

"You don't really have to be good to win this tournament," said Twin Springs coach John McCrary. "You just have to be brave."

Strong words from Coach McCrary.

I thought it was a kind of strange comment too.

For better or worse though, I guess the Arby's Classic is the best tournament in the area. Local tourneys in the district and region continue to decline.

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Strong words from Coach McCrary.

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He knows of what he speaks. He won the tournament in 1985.

back when it was all basically local teams

You were like what 3 in 1985?

actually wasn't born...but gotta ask, where you goin with that?

No where, I always wondered how old you were.

When did the field expand to include all the teams it has now?

i'm 20...it's slowly expanded over time, not any one year really, but you can look on the website for the history and stuff


http://www.btcs.org/ths/arbysclassic/