Welsh Tournament brings crowds to our city and fun for families to our local gymnasiums

[February 27, 2018] 

LINCOLN

This past weekend, the city of Lincoln was filled to the brim with basketball players and fans. Coming from throughout the state and beyond, more than 170 teams participated in this year’s John Welsh Memorial Trojan Basketball Tournament.

Games began early Saturday morning and lasted into the evening, then resumed on Sunday, culminating in championship games at the end of the day.

The tournament filled every gymnasium in town this weekend with games being played at the host school - Lincoln Junior High, Lincoln College's Jack Nutt Arena at Lincoln Center and Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium, Lincoln Park District Recreational Center, Carroll Catholic School, Central School, Chester-East Lincoln, Washington Monroe, West Lincoln-Broadwell, and Zion Lutheran School.

On Saturday, February the 24th, the 2018 John Welsh Memorial Basketball
Tournament began at 9 a.m. and lasted in some gymnasiums until past 8 p.m.

Tournament time brings out all types of emotions, the cheers, the jeers, and the tears. And on that rare moment, it brings the home team fans and visitors alike to their feet to applaud a great play that needs to be recognized.

The atmosphere was electric at the Saturday games. Grandpa and Grandma, sister and brother, cheering on family members and friends as they did battle on the hardwood.

At each location vendors were selling memorabilia, and of course, food. There's nothing better than a tournament hot dog, bag of chips and a cold soda to wash it all down with on a big game day.

Then came the battle of the baskets. Young boys and girls giving their all to take the lead and maintain it until the final buzzer. Using all the techniques that their coaches have taught them, the skills they have honed over time, and working as a team, players battled to reach that ultimate goal of being the winner. It's a great thing to experience and a great event to support.

It was refreshing to see people come together to watch the players, visit, and just get away from the rat race and the humdrum of life.

This huge local event couldn't or wouldn't take place if it weren't for the people behind the scenes. To create an event of this size requires the ultimate in teamwork. The folks behind the scenes work hard for this event to come off without a hitch. There are more moving parts in an event like this than there are parts in a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

The tournament is a prime example of what can happen when everyone comes together. And, while the focus is on the various teams, there are other huge benefits to the community. Games are scheduled so that each team plays at least a time or two, but the games are spaced out so that those who wish to go exploring in our fair city have the time to do so.

Locally, restaurants stock up with extra burgers and chicken bites and are well armed with extra staff to accommodate the hundreds of people who may be walking in their doors over the two day period.

The area motels enjoy extra visitors over this weekend, which is a boon for them in what is typically a slow season, and good for the city in that in generates extra hotel/motel tax that supports local tourism, as well as the summertime Third Friday Downtown Lincoln events.

Local stores also enjoy the added benefit of moms and grandma’s who may decide it’s time to stretch their legs. Ultimately, the community benefits from this as well in the sales tax is returned to the city for use in managing the town and also it benefits the local schools through the one percent school sales tax.

So while the games over the weekend were all about gaining one win at a time, this great annual event is an instant win for the town and the local businesses. Congrats to all the organizers, volunteers, and of course, the young men and women athletes who make this weekend possible and profitable, year after year.

[Mitch Douglas]