Organizers hope inaugural Classic grows in the future

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on December 26, 2013 1:47 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Holiday hoops are back in Wayne County.

The inaugural 2013 Southern Bank/Mt. Olive Pickle Winter Classic tips off Friday afternoon at Kornegay Arena on the University of Mount Olive campus.

Goldsboro High, Eastern Wayne, Southern Wayne and Southern Vance comprise the boys' and girls' fields. Tickets are $10 per day at the door or $15 for an all-tournament pass.

Concessions will be available. Proceeds from the two-day tournament benefit the Greater Neuse Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"All the coaches involved are excited to have a Christmas tournament back in Wayne County," said Will Collins, a representative from the Greater Neuse FCA. "We think the rivalries between the local teams will help fill up the gym."

The girls' teams from Southern Wayne and Southern Vance open tournament play at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Wayne and Goldsboro meet in the other semifinal at 5 p.m.

The same pairings comprise the boys' semifinals.

Third-place and championship games are Saturday.

Terry Jones, an MOC alum and former head coach at Wayne Country Day, is the tournament director after coming up with the idea during the summer. He and Collins hope to see the holiday classic expand in the future.

"Other coaches want to be a part of this tournament in the future," Collins said. "We would love to expand it in the future with local teams as well as with teams from outside the area."

Corporate sponsors for the tournament include Adam's BBQ, Southern Bank, Mt. Olive Pickles, Deacon Jones, Southco Distributing Company, Chelsea Collins Photography and C12 Ministries.