We’re one week away from the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions.
All eight teams in the field were announced last Spring, and Thursday those teams finally found out who they will be playing
Last year’s Tournament of Champions set an all-time record for total attendance. So, how do you top that?
“This field is just loaded,” said Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Josh Scott.
The field has five teams that have been nationally ranked by ESPN this season, and two currently in the top ten.
The action tips off Thursday with local prep power Link Academy playing the second game.
“We know they were the national runner-up last year; I think people want to see it in person,” Scott said.
The Branson-based Link Lions are home to some of the best high school basketball players in the nation and are stacked with Division I talent.
“That’s what they came here for is to play against the best of the best and to play in tournaments like this and have the opportunity to play in college arenas,” said Link Academy basketball coach Bill Armstrong.
Although many Lions will be playing in full arenas at the next level, coach Armstrong knows just how special the T of C is.
“I don’t think they exactly know or can put into thought what they’re going to walk into playing in front of 5,000-10,000 people on each night, but I know they’re excited about it,” Armstrong added.
In game three – Kickapoo will face nationally ranked Sunrise Christian out of Kansas. The Chiefs will have to prepare for 7-foot-2 John Bol.
“We may get a ladder out and stand a coach on a ladder around the basket, we’ll probably get some broomsticks out and beat some stuff off the backboard when we try to shoot around the basket,” said Kickapoo basketball coach Mitch McHenry.
Coach McHenry and the Chiefs have been here before and know how special this spotlight is.
“All the local athletes and local players that have played in this tournament it’s kind of their bragging rights,” McHenry said.
Wrapping up day one is Staley from Kansas City, “What people are sleeping on is that Staley team. They’re number one team in the state (in class 6),” Scott said.
Staley will face a top team in Florida called Calvary Christian.
“We always try to look at and see what the best matchups we can make for day one while still looking particularly at the semis,” said Scott.
You can see the full bracket here.
