A year of school flies by fast
Eight months of schooling can cause change inside its buildings and outside its four walls. While the 2010-2011 school year is coming to a close, looking back on it the changes are more obvious now then they were at the time.
“It’s weird how much can change in only one school year,” said freshman Brianna Jackson.
The first day of school was Aug. 9th, as new freshmen bustled in, the new seniors took their place. Schedules were handed out and throughout the day friendships were forged between people who had only just met each other.
Students came back into school, sporting the newest fashion trends such as off-the-shoulder shirts for girls and the v-necks for guys.
But while school was coming back into focus, Operation Iraqi Freedom was reaching it’s end. President Obama declared it over on Aug. 19. Soldiers would finally be coming home after seven years of war.
Picture day fast approached students and teachers; the picture taken on that day would live on for generations in a yearbook. While the girls primped and prepped, the boys smoothed and tucked for just one good picture to be taken on Aug. 26.
More important than a school picture; sports such as football, golf, and volleyball roared to life in the first month of school. The first pep rally was held on Aug. 27, where the seniors beat everyone out with their “battle cry” and the freshmen got their first taunting.
Girls broke out their pea coats and UGG boots, which were plentiful around campus, and the guys brought out their leather jackets and tennis shoes as the cooler weather settled over the city.
The first week-long break emerged on the scene with much anticipation on the week of Oct. 18-22. Students took the time to relax their brains from the new knowledge being poured into it and teachers got to relax their nerves with no students to watch over.
On Oct. 29, the school participated in the blood drive, hoping to beat out Bolton for more blood giving. That day was full of fainting, mass blood loss, and sleepy students from the pints of blood given from those who participated.
The day that many avid baseball fans wait all year for finally came. On Nov. 1 the World Series game was played and the New York Giants took the title for the first time since 1954.
“I was so nervous for that PLAN test when I heard it was like the ACT,” said sophomore Cassidy Cook.
The PLAN Test may have freaked the sophomores out but on Nov. 2 they overcame the test. Though it was not nearly as hard or long as the ACT, it helped sophomores know what they needed to work on to be prepared for the next year.
On Nov. 13 the annual dance Snowflake commenced, and while relationships began there, friends were also found. This was the last all-school dance for seniors and it hit a melancholy key.
Nov. 22 the annual Miss BHS pageant came into play, where Grace Burgess passed on her crown that she had won only as a sophomore to senior Reykisha Stewart. The night was full of girls decked out in their best dresses and the baseball team dressed as sharp as a tack.
The three days of Nov. 24-26 came as a welcome of family and bonding when Thanksgiving Break set in.
After gaining 10 lbs., students and teachers returned to tackle mid-year exams. While the freshmen got their first taste of high school exams, most seniors hoped it would be their last. The exams were held on the 16 and 17 of Dec., in which the 17 was shortened after completing all the exams.
Then came Winter Break. The temperature was colder, the days seemed to fly by, and sleeping in became a constant. As the passing of a New Year came and went, school reared its ugly head. Only this time it didn’t anticipate the weather would rear its head too.
Another fashion trend popped up after the holidays, a trend that helped more than the buyer. TOMS spiked in popularity as a shoe that not only helped those less fortunate get shoes, but also held comfort and thick, warm material for the cold months. They popped up over campus in every color from bright blue to sparkly black.
School resumed Tuesday Jan. 4 with no delay, but that very next Monday snow hit the world and left Shelby County all out of school. While many were thankful, some were trying to re-plan lessons. It really didn’t help when school was canceled the next day either, a rare treat in the Memphis-area.
The day of return, on Jan. 12, report cards were sent out for parents to see how their kids first semester went. While some kids had to be pulled from classes, others jumped with glee at making it by.
Students and teachers got another day off that next Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. To make this week shorter the weather had a trick up its sleeve, on Friday Jan. 21 another blanket of white covered our town bringing shouts of joy from small children and worry for school administrators in Shelby County. All hope was not lost because they announced a few months later that the snow days did not have to be made up.
On the week of Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Winterfest commanded the school. Nerd day was a popular hit, as well as red-and-blue day. People’s school spirit began to shine through and as the pep rally came it was a sad one. The seniors realized this would be their last one, and their time at high school was closing off.
February was a quiet month compared to the months ahead for school, even though basketball was riled up and taking the court.
A day a football fan lived and breathed for came about on the calendar. Football fans gathered from all around on Feb. 7 to see the New Orleans Saints take the Super Bowl XLIV championship.
Then a crash back to reality sent many reeling in disbelief. On March 10, Japan was struck with an 9.0 magnitude earthquake which caused a tsunami to hit the island country. The tsunami at it’s highest point was 124 ft tall and traveled nearly 6 miles into the country. The National Police confirmed 14,238 deaths, 5,314 injured, and 12,228 people missing as well as 125,000 destroyed or damaged buildings.
Spring Break lifted everyone’s spirits in the month of March. Students took on the break with excitement, taking family trips, visiting colleges, and sleeping the day away. Teachers took their time and relaxed, as they had finished their grades the week before.
The blood drive came back to Bartlett on March 30 and more fainting, blood loss, and sleepy students ensued. Those that did not get the chance to be involved last time took glee in finally being 16 and able.
The dance everyone had anticipated came to school at last, Prom. Where the seniors felt the anxiety of their final farewell and the two people were selected for the coveted title of Prom King and Queen. Domenic Martini and Janyl Iganda were selected to have these honored titles.
“It just went by too fast!” said senior Xavier Lawrence.
Even with a year of ups and downs, it is easy to look back and see the unshakable memories and the new friendships forged.
Panthers finish regular season; district basketball tournament starts today at home
Going into the final month of the season, every game in February would matter for both the boys and girls, with the District 14-AAA tournament looming. The boys would finish with a 21-6 overall record, 8-4 in district. This is the second consecutive season that the boys finished with a 20-win season, and 21 beats the high from last year, which shows a sign of improvement. The girls, who shot down any ideas of this year being a “rebuilding year”, finished the season with a 15-12 overall record, 7-5 in district.
Boys’ Basketball
February started with a two-game home stand with Cordova and Craigmont. The Panthers faced these two teams on the road in January, in which they both lost games.
The first matchup was Cordova on Feb. 1. With Memphis Tigers’ Head Basketball Coach Josh Pastner in attendance, junior Anthlon Bell would have a strong first half as he scored 19 points, his only points in the game, and the Panthers led 33-24 at the half. In the third quarter, freshman Chris Chiozza would also shine as he scored 11 points, his only points in the game. The fourth quarter, on the other hand, was very difficult for the Panthers. They couldn’t score, as Cordova surged back, but junior Latrell Cunningham got very crucial free throws, which closed a Bartlett 52-48 win.
Homecoming night would set the scene on Feb. 4, as Craigmont came into town. It would be a close game through three quarters, with the score tied at 49. The Panthers would pull away early in the fourth, leading by as much as 10, but once again couldn’t score late in the game. In the last two minutes, Bartlett had difficulty getting the ball in the front court with the tenacious Craigmont defense breathing down their necks, which raised the totals of Bartlett turnovers and Craigmont points. The Chiefs would manage to send the game into overtime and win the game 74-70. Bell led with 23 points.
The Panthers would take their final road trip of the regular season on Feb. 8, as they traveled up Highway 51 to face the Millington Trojans. The Panthers would would dominate in the first half, but without the exploits of junior Marquarius Boddie, senior Corey Hopkins, and junior Jeffery Dockett. In the second half, they would play and made up for the lost time as Bartlett cruised to 77-49 win.
Bartlett would close out their District 14-AAA regular season schedule at home on Feb. 11 as Raleigh-Egypt would come to Farley Gym. The game would be close throughout, unlike their last meeting in January. Once again, the Panthers would play an overtime game, but this time ended up on top with a 62-61 victory.
The final regular season would be Senior Night on Feb. 15 as the Panthers played against the home-schooling FCA Nighthawks. It would be a special night for Hopkins and Jonathon Withers, as they were the lone seniors on a mostly junior-class team. It was a slow first half, but from then on it would be all Panthers, as they would win 71-41. Hopkins and Withers both scored 5 points, with Bell leading with 22.
Girls’ Basketball
On Feb. 1, the girls played Cordova, and looked to avenge their loss on the road in January. This game was a far comparison from that last matchup. With junior Destiny James and freshman Shondria Scruggs leading the way, the Lady Panthers would cruise to a 66-51 win. James led with 17 points and Scruggs had 14.
Craigmont would travel to Farley Gym on Feb. 4. Just like the boys’ game, it was close from beginning to end.
With the score Craigmont 54-52, Bartlett had the ball with 4.8 seconds left.
James sets the strategy of the next play: “We wanted [junior] Toni [Chunn] to get it in and throw it long and see who can an open shot.” Sure enough, someone got the open shot, and sure enough it was James.
James drove into the basket and got the game-tying layup and foul with no time remaining. She would get the game-winning free throw and the Lady Panthers would prevail with a 55-54 win.
Their next game would be at Millington on Feb. 8 as they faced the Lady Trojans. It was another close matchup from beginning to end, like their last meeting in Farley in January. Also in that game in January, the Lady Panthers would make a furious comeback to win, and they would do the same thing in Millington, as they won 49-47. Three players would score in double figures: sophomore Tayla Harmon with 12 points, Scruggs with 11, and James with 10.
The final District 14-AAA game of the regular season would be on Feb. 11 against Raleigh-Egypt. This game would be an exact copy of their 71-21 meeting in January as the Lady Panthers cruised to a 78-28 win. Every Lady Panther player who showed up would score, expect senior Bridget Hutchinson, who was out due to injury.
On Feb. 15, it would be Senior Night as the FCA Lady Nighthawks would close out the regular season. Just like they boys’ team, there were only two seniors on the team: Hutchinson and Brittney King.
Hutchinson recapped her four years on the girls’ team: “It’s been very long, but it’s been hard work, and I’ve loved every second of it. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
It would be a slow start for both teams in the first quarter, especially with FCA’s tough defense stifling the Lady Panthers. The second quarter would be better as Bartlett managed to take the 26-23 lead. The third quarter would be the same as the first, but in the fourth, the Lady Panthers would run away with it, winning 59-49. Hutchinson would score 3 points, King would have 2, with junior Rachell Hughes leading with 12.
District 14-AAA Tournament Preview
The District 14-AAA tournament will begin today at Bartlett High. When you play in one of the toughest districts in Shelby County, you plan to keep an eye on every team.
On the girls’ side, Arlington clinched the first round bye, and will be automatically in the semifinals. This means that Bartlett will have to play in the first round on Friday. The Lady Panthers will play winless Raleigh-Egypt (Lady Panthers won season series). Though Bartlett and Arlington split the season series, coach Lynn Whitfield is not worried about the Lady Tigers until later in the tournament.
Here is the schedule for the girls’ games:
Friday, Feb. 18
3:00 p.m.- #4 Cordova vs. #5 Millington
4:30 p.m.- #3 Craigmont vs. #6 Bolton
6:00 p.m.- #2 Bartlett vs. #7 Raleigh-Egypt
Saturday, Feb. 19
3:00 p.m.- Craigmont-Bolton winner vs. Bartlett-Raleigh-Egypt winner
4:30 p.m.- #1 Arlington vs Cordova-Millington winner
Tuesday, Feb. 22
6:00 p.m.-Consolation Game
7:30 p.m.-Championship Game
On the boys’ side, it seems that every team could possibly win the tournament. Craigmont, who won the season series versus Bartlett, will get the first round bye. Bartlett and Raleigh-Egypt finished with a 8-4 district record and split the season series, so a coin flip was used to decide the 3 and 4 seeds. Raleigh-Egypt won the coin flip, so Bartlett will play their first round game Friday vs Arlington. This prevents a first round matchup versus Bolton, but does keep in line a semifinal matchup versus #1 Craigmont.
Coach David Owen, who is looking to win his first postseason game as head coach, is keeping his eye on every team playing in the tournament: “This is about as good as our district has been in a long time, as far as parity.” Bartlett won season series against Millington, Arlington, and Bolton, and split series against Raleigh-Egypt and Cordova.
Here is the schedule for the boys’ games:
Friday, Feb. 18
7:30 p.m.- #4 Bartlett vs. #5 Arlington
Saturday, Feb. 19
Noon- #2 Cordova vs. #7 Millington
1:30 p.m.- #3 Raleigh-Egypt vs. #6 Bolton
Monday, Feb. 21
6:00 p.m.- Raleigh-Egypt-Bolton winner vs. Cordova-Millington winner
7:30 p.m.- #1 Craigmont vs Bartlett-Arlington winner
Wednesday, Feb 23
6:00 p.m.- Consolation Game
7:30 p.m.- Championship Game
Note that the top four teams in both tournaments will go to their respective Region 7 tournaments, in which they will be paired with the top four teams from District 13-AAA. First-round games will be played at the higher-seeded team’s home. Championship games will be played at Munford High School.
All Bartlett games are available on KPTR.com. Check the website frequently for any sudden changes with schedule.
Basketball teams charging into final stretch of the season
The winter months are winding down, and so is basketball season. This month is tournament time, so every game is important to both Panther teams. The boys end the month with a 17-5 overall record and a 5-3 District 14-AAA record. The girls end with 10-11 record, 3-5 in 14-AAA.
Boys’ Basketball
The month of November ended with a rematch with the same Houston Mustangs team they beat four days prior in the Arlington Turkey Shootout by double digits. This game would turn out to be a far comparison from what happen at Arlington High. A close game from beginning to end, the Panthers came up short with 65-62 defeat, their first loss of the season.
December would be a great month for the boys. It started with a five-game winning streak with victories against St. Benedict, Germantown, rival Bolton, East, and Collierville. With a 10-1 record going into the Carbondale (IL) Holiday Tournament, they were the clear favorites. They won the opening matchup against Edwardsville (IL) on the 27th, but the next day lost to Raytown South (MO). This put them in the losers’ bracket, but this did not dampen their spirits. On the 29th alone, they beat East Peoria (IL) and the local Memphis University School to finish fifth place. They finished December with a 13-2 record.
January was a challenging month for the Panthers, who faced all their tough District 14-AAA counterparts in the month; they only played one of those teams before January, Bolton. Their first test was at home on the 4th against Arlington. Juniors Anthlon Bell and Marquarius Boddie passed the test, both scoring 22 points in an easy 82-69 win.
The next two games were road games against two other highly-ranked teams in 14-AAA, Cordova and Craigmont. These games were going to be the tests for this young team to see if they were the real deal in district.
In the first game on the 7th, the boys started the first quarter strong, leading 24-9. A win was definitely in sight. But afterwards, the spark went away. The halftime score was 34-26 Bartlett. The third quarter score was 53-48 Bartlett. The final score was 76-72 Cordova. Bell led all scorers with 23.
Due to the snow day on the 11th, the Craigmont game was moved to the 13th, one day before a regularly-scheduled home game versus Millington. In the first half, although Bartlett trailed 40-34, it seemed like a normal game. That would quickly change in the third quarter. Craigmont’s strong offense ballooned the lead to 70-47. Bartlett would lose 96-63, which now put them at 2-2 in district. Boddie led scorers with 25.
Finally back home after the failed road trip, Bartlett bounced back with a 100-71 win versus Millington. They trailed 22-15 after one, but strong offense and defense stopped the Trojans. Bell led scorers with 26.
The Panthers were now back on the road playing the final district team in the first half of district play, Raleigh-Egypt. They led as much as 25 in the fourth quarter. Then, all of a sudden, a very quick run put the Panthers back in the game, shrinking the lead as much as 8 points with about a minute left, but it was not enough. They lost the game 81-73. Bell once again led scorers with 31, half of those points coming in the fourth quarter alone. This put their record at 15-5, 3-3 in the first half of district play.
Another snowstorm would come through the area on the 20th, canceling a home game versus ECS. No makeup date for that game has been announced. This would give the team a one-week break before a rematch with the rivals from Bolton High. After a slow first quarter, the Panthers got back in the groove and made this game a far comparison from their last meeting in December. They would win 75-61, and Bell would once again lead scorers with 25 points.
The final game of the month would be on the 28th at Arlington. The first quarter would once again be slow for the Panthers, but the last three quarters would be a far comparsion. Arlington put on a run to start the third quarter down 16 points, but Bartlett would score 34 points in the fourth quarter to win 101-79 to break 100 for the second time this season. Bell and Boddie would get close to scoring 30, they had 28 and 27 respectively.
Girls’ Basketball
It seemed that the girls were going to struggle again this season, going winless into December. After a disappointing loss versus Houston on November 30th, the Lady Panthers got their first win versus St. Benedict on the 3rd. This would be the last game without junior Destiny James, whose recurring hamstring injury benched her once again. The loss of her became very clear when the Lady Panthers dropped three games on the road against Germantown, Bolton and East.
Still with James out, the Lady Panthers played Collierville on the 17th. After trailing by two after three quarters, Bartlett had a strong fourth quarter, which led then to a 49-38 victory. This victory was very important for Coach Lynn Whitfield, for it was her 500th victory as a coach. Going into the winter break, the Lady Panthers had a 2-5 record.
Bartlett began play in the first of two Christmas tournaments for the team, the O’Ryan Christmas Tournament at Harding Academy, on the 20th. They lost in the first round to Brentwood Academy, 47-32. This put them in the losers’ bracket, but the next two days, a big return would strengthen the Lady Panthers. With James back in the lineup, she led all Lady Panther scorers both days to get wins against Sycamore and Hickman County to finish the tournament in fifth place.
In the last tournament starting on the 27th, the Dragon Fire Invitational at Collierville High, Bartlett looked to ride their momentum to a tournament championship, but once again the Lady Panthers were put into the losers’ bracket with a 45-23 loss to Fairley. Bartlett would quickly redeem themselves with wins against ECS, Collierville, and East to once again finish fifth place. With the 5-2 record over the two holiday tournaments, the Lady Panthers now had a 7-7 record going into strong district play in January.
They started January with a two-game losing streak, losing at home to Arlington on the 4th and on the road to then undefeated Cordova on the 7th. Once again playing on the road in the rescheduled game at top-ranked Craigmont on the 13th, the Lady Panthers upset the Lady Chiefs 65-61. Junior Rachell Hughes led scorers with 18 points, while James, sophomore Tayla Harmon, and freshman Shondria Scruggs, all had double-digits points.
The next day, the Lady Panthers played at home versus Millington. A low-scoring game, Millington started to run away with the game, leading as much as 10 halfway through the fourth quarter, but Hughes and James led an incredible comeback, winning the game 36-35. Hughes had 9, James had 14, but a big three by junior Toni Chunn, her only points of the game, was very key in the comeback. Then they played the winless Lady Pharaohs of Raleigh-Egypt on the 18th, and it was Lady Panther dominance all the way. They won 71-21, clearly their biggest win of the season. Every Lady Panther player that showed up at the game, from Chunn with 12 points to sophomore Treazure Rogers with 1 point, had scored. Also in double-digits was junior Kelsie Torry, off the bench, with 11 points.
With a hot streak going, the winter weather would cool them off as they had a week off due to the canceling of the ECS game on the 20th. Their next game would be on the 25th at home versus rival Bolton. The Lady Wildcats would not make it easy for Bartlett, as they lead by double-digits midway through the third quarter. The Lady Panthers would make a strong comeback, cutting it to as much as three with less than a minute remaining, but it would not be enough. Bolton won 52-50, as James would lead with 15 points, Harmon with 14.
The month of January would end on the 28th at Arlington. After strong play and few turnovers in the first half, the Lady Panthers were poised to give the Lady Tigers their first loss in district, but they could not pull it off, as they would lose 64-40. The first-half surge occurred thanks to Chunn, who led all scorers with 13 points, and Scruggs, who scored 10.
February Preview
In February, the boys will look to avenge the three district road games they lost in January as Cordova (2-1), Craigmont (2-4), and Raleigh-Egypt (2-11) will all have to come to Farley Gym this month. The Craigmont game will be special as it is Homecoming Night at Bartlett High. Also, the Panthers will have a tough road test as the go up Highway 51 to face Millington on the 8th. On the 15th, it will be Senior Night as the Panthers host the FCA Nighthawks.
Also, can the girls keep their hot streak going into the last month of the season? All of these games are crucial for both teams as it will determine where each team is seeded in the District 14-AAA tournament, which will be held entirely at Bartlett High starting on the 18th. Only the top four in the District tournament can go to the Regional Tournament.
All games are available for listening on KPTR.com.
Basketball teams dominate the courts
It’s 1:26 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8. The newly polished Farley Gym floor is clear and beautiful, like I have never seen it before in my four years at Bartlett High; so are my hopes for this upcoming season. If the shiny floor is any indication, our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will be rocking Farley Gym in the coming months
Boys’ Basketball
The boys’ basketball team, led by Head Coach David Owen, is looking to come off their first 20-win season since 1992. They also won the Carbondale (IL) Invitational during last Christmas break, the first tournament outside of Memphis won by Bartlett.
Coach Owen looks to improve on the season-win total: “We’re going to be really good, we’re going to be really deep we’re going to be really strong, fast, quick, and score easily.”
Bartlett was the pre-season number two pick in the tough District 14-AAA, only behind Craigmont. Also, the team was picked in wire services as number 8 in west Tennessee and one of the top 20 teams in the state.
All but two players are returning to the team this season. A mostly junior class, this group was put through the ringer last season, and they have a wealth of experience at such a young age, but there is always room for improvement.
Junior Jeffery Docket plans to “go to the limit, taking it to a better season and a better record this year.”
Junior Trell Cunningham, who suffered a hand injury last season, wants to be the leader of the team, and he says he hopes they can get to the State Championship. Junior Marquarius Boddie wants to improve on his ball-handling and inside paint game. Junior Anthlon Bell plans to improve on defense and rebounding.
The boys’ season started on November 16 in Newburn, Tennessee against Dyer County. A fast-paced game from beginning to end, it was back-and-forth. It came down to the final seconds when Boddie was fouled with no time on the clock with the score tied at 80. With the strong Dyer County crowd yelling so loudly, in Boddie’s eyes, he felt “just nothing.” Boddie sunk the first of his freethrows to close a 81-80 Bartlett win. Boddie and Anthlon Bell lead the team with 23 points, while Corey Hopkins had 15 points.
In their next matchup on November 23 at Briarcrest, the boys came down to another wild finish. In overtime, Briarcrest led 62-61 with 10.5 seconds left. Junior Hopkins took the ball and put up the buzzer-beater to close a 63-62 victory. After the game, Hopkins was just “speechless.” Boddie once again lead the team with 30 points and Hopkins had 12 points.
During the Thanksgiving break, the Bartlett boys played in the Turkey Shootout tournament at Arlington High. After two wins, 64-60 to Lausanne and 91-74 to Houston, they played Brighton in the final on November 27. After sloppy play in the first half, Bartlett was down 37-23 at halftime. The tables turned in the second half, and with hard work, Bartlett won the championship 73-67. Hopkins led the team with 22 points, Boddie had 21 points, and Bell had 16 points.
The 5-0 Panthers also received something very special during the holiday break. The Commercial Appeal ranked the boys team number 9 in their “Dandy Dozen” preseason poll, the highest ranking since the state championship team of 2000-2001.
“It feels great, and it feels great because of the kids. They’ve worked hard, they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do, and they are getting the fruit of their labor, so all the accolades should go to the players,” Owen said.
Girls’ Basketball
The girls’ basketball team, led by Coach Lynn Whitfield, comes out of a “rebuilding year” in which they placed 3rd in district.
“It’s going to be an interesting year: we have more post players than we’ve ever had, and our guard play is extensive, and our shortcomings are our wings because we go from 6’0″ to 5’3″…but I think we’re going to have a pretty good year,” Whitfield said.
The girls’ team also plays in the tough District 14-AAA. In Whitfield’s eyes, the strongest team in district is Arlington, with their veteran players.
“Millington lost a lot [of players], but he’s [Coach Stanley Gatlin] big; they’re big,” Whitfield said.
With an all around roster from freshmen to seniors, the girls look to improve on last season. Junior Destiny James, who was injured last season and will be sidelined again until after Thanksgiving with a torn ACL, is happy about the team this season and thinks they will go very far. Senior Bridget Hutchinson looks to improve her dribbling skills and looks to take the leadership role in her final year on the team. Junior Toni Chunn, who will also be sidelined 4-6 weeks to start off the season, will improve on her shooting and passing.
The season started on November 23 with a 40-29 loss at Briarcrest. Freshman Shuntavia Rodgers led the team with 7 points and Senior Bridget Hutchinson was one of five players with 4 points.
Over the month of December, Bartlett will play home games against St. Benedict on the 3rd and Collierville on the 17th. Also, they will have a three-game road stand starting with Germantown on the 7th, rival Bolton on the 10th, and East on the 13th. The boys will also travel to Carbondale, Illinois during Christmas break to defend the title they won from there last season. During the same time, the girls will play in the Lady Dragons Tournament at Collierville.