"It's all the same, only the names have changed'
- Bon Jovi
One of the longest, and finest, standing traditions in the Tri-State tipped-off on Wednesday. However it did so in a place other than it's traditional home for the past 36 years.
The St. Joe's Invitational Tournament is still getting used to it's new digs at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, a move that was necessary when the previous site, the storied (and dilapidated) Veteran's Memorial Field House, was demolished to make room for a new structure part of Marshall University.
The organizers have brought everything over to the more-modern, and amenity-laden Big Sandy, which is some of the finest basketball annually played in the Jewel City, which is a hallmark of the long-standing event that has become an institution in the Huntington area. They even brought the floor from Veteran's, which the Arena bought from VMFH, when they were liquidating and auctioning it's assets in preparation for the demolition.
And yes, the student skits have come on over too.
Certainly, as with any move from a former home to a new house, there are going to be periods of adjustment before you can kick your shoes off and feel totally at ease. However the move to actual Downtown Huntington, the more spacious environment, and upgrade in facilities thanks to the move, will be what makes the place feel like their dream home.
Obviously, rent is going to be a little bit higher with the move, but the organizers are optimistic that cost will be off-set by revenue possibilities they now have thanks to the move, that just were not an option the Field House.
And, the size of the crowds will be able to be much larger, not too mention better monitored. No more free passes by sneaking in through the cracks of the building, almost literally, as the ticket office at the Arena will handle all ticket sales for the event, which means that the availability of tickets will be through Ticketmaster outlets.
It will not be known how much revenue will be brought in until after the Tournament commences, but event organizers are hopeful from the buzz and Wednesday turnout, that it will be a financial success.
And no, the other team that roams the halls at St' Joe's, Huntington Prep, will not be part of the Tournament.
*also worth noting, due to the inclement weather, tonight's games have been rescheduled to Saturday morning, weather permitting then of course.
Here is a list of the tournament games, which started Wednesday. It has not been updated with wins/losses nor rescheduled games:
Update 1/27/13 : Fairland took home top prize in the 'Gold' division, holding off Spring Valley 54-52.
Charleston Catholic won the 'Blue' division by coming back to beat Wesley Christian (KY) 47-43.
Ceredo-Kenova beat host Huntington-St. Joe in the finals of the middle school division, 53-30.
And, in a non-tournament game that was part of the event, Eastern Meigs (OH) beat the Lady Lions of Boyd County, 50-44.
- Bon Jovi
One of the longest, and finest, standing traditions in the Tri-State tipped-off on Wednesday. However it did so in a place other than it's traditional home for the past 36 years.
The St. Joe's Invitational Tournament is still getting used to it's new digs at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, a move that was necessary when the previous site, the storied (and dilapidated) Veteran's Memorial Field House, was demolished to make room for a new structure part of Marshall University.
The organizers have brought everything over to the more-modern, and amenity-laden Big Sandy, which is some of the finest basketball annually played in the Jewel City, which is a hallmark of the long-standing event that has become an institution in the Huntington area. They even brought the floor from Veteran's, which the Arena bought from VMFH, when they were liquidating and auctioning it's assets in preparation for the demolition.
And yes, the student skits have come on over too.
 |
| Mark Webb/ Herald-Dispatch |
Obviously, rent is going to be a little bit higher with the move, but the organizers are optimistic that cost will be off-set by revenue possibilities they now have thanks to the move, that just were not an option the Field House.
 |
| Mark Webb/Herald-Dispatch |
It will not be known how much revenue will be brought in until after the Tournament commences, but event organizers are hopeful from the buzz and Wednesday turnout, that it will be a financial success.
And no, the other team that roams the halls at St' Joe's, Huntington Prep, will not be part of the Tournament.
*also worth noting, due to the inclement weather, tonight's games have been rescheduled to Saturday morning, weather permitting then of course.
Here is a list of the tournament games, which started Wednesday. It has not been updated with wins/losses nor rescheduled games:
WEDNESDAY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
3:30 p.m., Girls, Guyan Valley vs. Enslow.
4:45 p.m., Boys, Guyan Valley vs. Enslow.
HIGH SCHOOL
7 p.m., Boys, Charleston Catholic vs. Wayne.
9 p.m., Huntington St. Joe vs. Wesley Christian, Ky.
THURSDAY
HIGH SCHOOL
7 p.m., Boys, Fairland vs. Mount Mission, Va.
9 p.m., Boys, Spring Valley vs. Chesapeake.
FRIDAY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
2:30 p.m., Girls, Huntington St. Joe vs. Ceredo-Kenova.
3:45 p.m., Boys, Huntington St. Joe vs. Ceredo-Kenova.
HIGH SCHOOL
5 p.m., Girls, Huntington St. Joe vs. Eastern Meigs.
7 p.m., Boys, Losers of Wednesday games.
9 p.m., Boys, Winners, of Wednesday games.
SATURDAY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
11 a.m., Girls, Consolation game.
12:15 p.m., Girls, Championship game.
1:30 p.m., Boys, Consolation game.
2:45 p.m., Boys, Championship game.
HIGH SCHOOL
5 p.m., Girls, Boyd Co. vs. Eastern Meigs.
7 p.m., Boys, Losers of Thursday games.
9 p.m., Boys, Winners of Thursday games.
Update 1/27/13 : Fairland took home top prize in the 'Gold' division, holding off Spring Valley 54-52.
Charleston Catholic won the 'Blue' division by coming back to beat Wesley Christian (KY) 47-43.
Ceredo-Kenova beat host Huntington-St. Joe in the finals of the middle school division, 53-30.
And, in a non-tournament game that was part of the event, Eastern Meigs (OH) beat the Lady Lions of Boyd County, 50-44.
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