Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9501070028
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If Salem basketball coach Charlie Morgan has his way, the tournament eventually will be like the Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn. - which has a national reputation and plays to sellout crowds of more than 7,000 people per session.
That tournament started with less than eight teams and has evolved into a 16-team affair that runs off 22 games in five days. Teams visit from as far away as California.
The Holiday Hoops Classic, which is the second of the series, has a new sponsor in NationsBank. It will take more corporate help if Morgan's plans to expand are successful.
The tournament opens a three-day stint at the Salem Civic Center on Monday, and some of Timesland's strongest teams are participating. The field includes Blue Ridge District schools Northside, Salem, Rockbridge County and William Byrd; Roanoke Valley District squads from Franklin County and Cave Spring; Parry McCluer from the Pioneer District; and Fieldale-Collinsville from the Piedmont District.
Morgan plans to visit with Bill Bingham, the director the Arby's Classic, over the holidays when he attends that tournament. Morgan was an assistant coach at Science Hill in Johnson City, Tenn., an Arby's participant, before coming to Salem three years ago. So he is familiar with the Arby's concept.
Morgan realizes that to be successful, he needs either Patrick Henry or William Fleming in the tournament. ``Woody [Deans, Patrick Henry's coach] and I have talked. I'd like to get both Patrick Henry and Fleming in. I'd like to expand. I'm not sure we can continue to grow with more Timesland teams,'' said Morgan.
``I want to see a team from West Virginia, Kentucky and either North Carolina or South Carolina in the tournament.''
Morgan also must find a way to play more than three games and keep Virginia schools participating. Because Virginia limits the number of games a team can play to 21, if they attend a tournament anything over three games means Virginia schools must find a single contest to play with another school instead of a home-and-home engagement.
NationsBank, the primary sponsor, isn't the only company helping Morgan with the tournament. Advance Auto Parts, the main sponsor last year, still is contributing, as is Kroger Co.
The Salem coach's plans are ambitious, but if they work out, Roanoke Valley high school basketball fans could be enjoying some of the nation's best hoops.
by CNB