December 18, 2008

CITIZENS FIRST HOLIDAY CLASSIC PARTICIPANTS TO WATCH

Boys' Holiday Tournament Tips off Sunday

See the complete tournament schedule here.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Citizens First Holiday Classic begins this Sunday, bringing some of the state’s top high school basketball players to town for three days of tournament play. Participating teams include Allen County Scottsville, Bowling Green, Doss, Elizabethtown, Graves County, Hart County, Madison Central, Madison Southern, Morristown East, Mercer County, North Hardin Christian, and Warren East.

Spectators can look forward to a great performance from the District 15 pre-season favorite, Allen County Scottsville, off to a 6 - 0 start. They have the best post player in Region 4 with 6'9" senior center Phillip Hayes, and he is teaming up with 6'5" junior forward Kevin Bunton who transferred from Ohio County this past summer.

Defending 14th District Champion Bowling Green is off to a 1 - 1 start. Players to watch on this team include 5'11" senior guard Tevin Barksdale, a two-sport athlete with scoring ability, and 6'3" junior guard D.J. Ray, one of the most versatile players in the region.

Doss High School travels from a very competitive Region 6 in Louisville, bringing 6'4" senior guard Cameron Clemons. A great shooter with exceptional athletic ability, some consider Clemons the most underrated player in the state.

Region 5’s Elizabethtown has a couple of standout senior guards this season. Keep an eye on 6'3"Chris Gohman and 6'0" Darius French. Another Region 5 participant, Hart County, is a young program on the rise coached by former Bowling Green High School’s basketball standout Casey Simpson.

Graves County plays its first Citizens First Holiday Classic game Monday afternoon and is the pre-season 3rd District favorite. Off to a very solid 4 -1 start, 6'2" senior guard Josh Doggett is a solid athlete and a big scorer. Another 6’2” senior guard to watch will be Mercer County’s Matthew Robertson.

Madison Central High School is shining as the pre-season 44th District favorite. They are off to a 4 - 0 start against a very tough schedule with 6'2" senior guards Keshaun Simpson and Vince Clay leading the team as solid scorers. Also traveling from District 44 is Madison Southern, competing against both Hart Co. and Doss on Monday.

Morristown East High School, traveling to the Citizens First Holiday Classic from just outside Knoxville, is a fast-paced, highly athletic team. 6'3" junior guard Austin Gardner is averaging over 20 points a game. North Hardin Christian, a newcomer on the courts off to a 2 – 1 start, should put on a show with 6'10" senior center Mark Oyala anchoring them in the middle.

Spectators also will see a Kentucky coaching legend at the Citizens First Holiday Classic. Warren East High School’s first year coach Curtis Turley recently won his 600th game, putting him at #11 on the state’s all time list. Players to watch include Shenard Holton, a 6’ senior guard who was just named 1st Team All State in football and has verbally committed to play football at the University of Louisville, along with 6’3” sophomore guard Mark Biggs.

Games begin at 6 p.m. Sunday at Bowling Green High School. Admission for each full day of competition is $5 for adults and $3 for students K-12. Children under five are free.

For more information on the Citizens First Holiday Classic, contact D.C. Clement at 270-791-0052. For information on lodging and attractions in Bowling Green, go to www.visitbgky.com or call 800-326-7465.

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