Trojan Classic tips off Monday
Arguably one of the crown jewels of the Hillsboro sports scene, the 13th annual Trojan Classic basketball tournament tips off Monday at Hillsboro High School, with yet another stellar field of teams for fans to enjoy.
Thomas More Prep is the class of the boys' field, ranked number one by the Topeka Capital-Journal in Class 4A, and the 10th best team in Kansas across all classifications.
While not in the top five, Hesston and Republic County are recognized by both the Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle rankings as two of the upper echelon teams in Class 3A.
Marion, Hillsboro, Riley County, Sunrise Academy, and Wamego make up the rest of the field, and among them, only Hillsboro and Riley County enter with losing records.
In the girls' bracket, Hillsboro, Hesston, Riley County, and Republic County are mentioned as top vote-getters for Class 3A schools by the Wichita Eagle.
Marion, Sunrise Academy, Thomas More Prep, and Wamego round out the girls' field.
"They're going to be two very good tournaments," said USD 410 athletic director Max Heinrichs.
The expansion of the girls' bracket to a full eight teams has dictated a change in format, from pool play to a seeded elimination bracket, resulting in a temporary change in venues.
All girls' games will be played in Hillsboro this year, unlike the first two years of girls' competition.
Marion has collaborated with Hillsboro in conducting the tournament the past two years, hosting preliminary pool play for the girls' bracket at Marion High School Gymnasium.
"There won't be any games this year in our gym," USD 408 athletic director Tod Gordon explained. "The intent is that once our new gym is finished, a portion of this tournament will move back here next year."
"We've worked with Marion in the past, and when they get the new gym, we'll look forward to having games there," Heinrichs echoed.
When play starts Monday, tournament teams will experience a level of hospitality that sets the Trojan Classic apart from similar tournaments, according to Heinrich.
"We put all our money back into the tournament or toward our kids," Heinrichs explained.
"It's just like anybody else, you want to keep people. It's a tussle to make sure you get your teams back, so you treat them well."
The Hillsboro High School Athletic Booster Club is primarily responsible for guaranteeing a good experience for the participants.
"We provide a host for every team that is here," explained club president Gary Andrews. "They meet the teams when they arrive, stay with them until they leave, and get them anything they need.
"We line up all of the hospitality rooms for the coaches and administration, and provide all the food," he continued.
"We also have a player and a cheerleader hospitality room we're in charge of," Andrews added.
The booster club also is in charge of manning the gates and operating the concession stand, which is accomplished solely by the work of volunteers.
"Tuesday night there were five of us on phones for three hours, recruiting volunteers," said Andrews.
Approximately 30 volunteers are needed each day for action through Friday, and the need balloons to 50 for Saturday's marathon wrap-up.
"It's a good bunch of volunteers when you can get that many of them to do this," said Andrews.
Booster club volunteers are responsible for putting the 36-page tournament program together, including securing advertising sponsors from every community represented in the Classic.
In addition to seeing top-notch competition, fans will have the opportunity to win prizes in a raffle conducted Thursday and Saturday by the booster club.
"We try to give away some pretty good prizes," said Andrews, as he ticked off a list that includes a television, DVD players, an Apple iPod, two digital cameras, and a PowerDunk basketball goal donated by Donovan Funk of Horseshoe Metal Products.
"We have two Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce gift certificates to give away Thursday night," Andrews added. "That way they can spend them while they're still here at the tournament."
Play in the girls' bracket begins Monday, while the boys take to the court for opening round action Tuesday.
First-round losers will play consolation bracket games Thursday, while championship bracket games continue on Friday.
Play in both brackets concludes Saturday, culminating in the girls' championship at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys at 8:15.
