Pickle Classic - Tough field awaits Trojans

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on November 17, 2008 1:46 PM

• Print
• Email

MOUNT OLIVE -- One of the longest-running college basketball tournaments in the country -- the Pickle Classic -- tips off for its 43rd installment Friday at Kornegay Arena on the Mount Olive College campus.

Three nationally-ranked teams and a former national champion comprise the four-team, two-day Classic. On Friday, USC-Aiken -- ranked No. 1 in the preseason Sporting News poll -- opposes 2007 Division II national title-holder Barton College. The host Trojans, ranked No. 18, face Lenoir-Rhyne for the second time in a six-day period.

The teams switch opponents on Saturday. Barton faces L-RC, while Mount Olive meets USC-Aiken.

Tickets are $15 for the entire tournament, if purchased by Wednesday. Tickets are $10 at the door each night.

This year's festivities include a dinner to the Trojans' Division II College World Series baseball team, dedication of the William C. "Bill" Clingan locker room and induction ceremonies for the third class into the Mount Olive College Athletics Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are Clingan, Darwin Carr and Candy Tefertiller.

Tickets for the baseball dinner are $15. The players from last year's team will receive their rings between the first and second games on Friday.