The week leading up to Christmas break has been marked as the Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament for the past 70 years. This tournament involves almost all of the students in the high school. From working concessions, to taking tickets and money at the door, to cheering on the sidelines and running up and down the court all kids have some sort of participation. 

The tournament consists of 10 teams. There is the host, the Wayne City Indians, the Sandoval Blackhawks, the Grayville Bison, the North Clay Cardinals, the Thompsonville Tigers, the Crab Orchard Trojans, the Webber Trojans, the Cisne Runnin’ Lions, the Edwards County Lions, and the LoveJoy Wildcats.

 The LoveJoy Wildcats forfeited their first two games on the first Saturday of the tournament. In the first evening’s matchups, North Clay, Webber, and Wayne City pulled out wins, while Cisne and Edwards County won by forfeit. On Monday night’s games, Webber, North Clay, and Grayville grabbed the wins.

Coach Jake Talbert said, “Tournament week is a long and stressful week, but it allows us to showcase our school, our gym, and our town. That excites me every year.”

LaMar Choate said, “I think that the tournament is a great tradition for the school and the community. I hope it continues for at least another 70 years.”

After losing in the championship game of the Connie my freshman year and seeing how much the seniors cared and tried so hard to win, it has become a goal of mine to win a Conrad Allen Championship before I graduate, said James Walker.