Tue, Jul 08, 2008

high school sports

high school basketball at mckale center

Preps are kings (and queens) for MLK Classic

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.22.2008
A few dedicated basketball fans showed up at McKale Center from late Monday morning into the late evening.
Arizona star Jerryd Bayless was nowhere to be seen. UA coach Kevin O'Neill did not suddenly open UA practice to the public.
McKale was the place to be for the best in high school hoops — and the second annual MLK Basketball Classic — to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Nine boys and girls teams from Southern Arizona, as well as the Mesa Mountain View boys, took part in five games Monday afternoon and night.
The event drew an estimated 1,100 fans, a live television audience and media outlets from throughout the state. O'Neill even watched from an upper concourse while eating from a bucket of popcorn.
"I didn't know what to expect because I've only been here for Wildcat games," said Tucsonan Diane Green, who stayed — and stood cheering — for the first three games. "Today was a lot less stressful.
"You don't have to worry about your favorite team losing. I'm losing my voice, but I don't mind."
– Arizona Daily Star