John Welsh Memorial Tournament draws 1,500 young basketball players to Lincoln

 

[March 03, 2020] 

The 2020 John Welsh Memorial Tournament is now history. The tournament started by Coach Welsh remains popular today drawing boys and girls from third through eighth grade for two days of basketball play, mostly against players they’ve never played. Many teams feature elite athletes enjoying some post-season play.

Lincoln Junior High School sponsors the event with District 27 Superintendent Kent Froebe and Lincoln Junior High Principal Mike Workman as lead coordinators.

Lincoln Junior High Vice Principal and Athletic Director Brent Bainter said the numbers were down a bit from the highest year’s attendance, possibly due to the calendar year running later than the school competition year. But it was not a significant difference with 15 teams, 10 players per team signed up.

The tournament gives young players greater exposure to other players as it draws from all directions and great distances, and it is an extension on the season, which to most players in an opportunity to play more of their favorite sport, basketball.

It is also a fundraiser for the school.

The 1,500 players, parents and siblings are a great boost to the local economy also with many families coming from a distance staying in local hotels, eating out, buying gas and more.

The tournament rewards include 10 trophies given to the winner and runner-up of each third and fifth grade division. The sixth through eighth grade divisions received one large team trophy for first and second places.

Others who assisted included Chris Allen, as Asst. Tournament Director;
Brent Bainter, Officials Coordinator.
Gym managers: Tyler Walker, Anthony Varnado, Josh Komnick, Kevin Qualters, Kari Froebe, Darrin Worth, Howie Fuiten, Trent Kavelman, Tom Steiner and Craig Farnam.

Schools supporting the event with use of their gymnasiums included Washington-Monroe, Central, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Lincoln Community High School, Lincoln Jr. High School, Zion Lutheran, Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln and Lincoln College (Old Gym). Games were also played on courts at the Lincoln Recreational Center.

[Jan Youngquist]

Sixth grade girls took Lincoln College’s old gym court at noon to move the ball around.

Time out is called for team huddles and a new strategy as the game comes near to the end.

Families filled the bleachers to cheer their stars.

Young girl friends from Bethalto, who had sisters playing in a game, whiled away some time coloring.

A cheerful referee; in the background Chester East Lincoln sixth grade girls prepared to take their 1 p.m. Court-time.