Colby Alumni basketball tourney set for March 23-24
It is time once again for the Alumni Men’s Basketball tournament the weekend of March 23 and 24. The tournament is put on by the Colby Hornet Booster Club, and over 180 players will be rolling into town to compete on 21 teams in Colby’s version of March Madness. The tournament provides a festive atmosphere for the reunion of players, friends, and family and all of the proceeds support all athletic programs within the Colby School District.
The last alumni basketball tournament in 2022 provided some great entertainment and seeding upsets. We had a new champion with the classes of 04/05 taking home their first gold by beating the class of 2020 in a hard fought matchup. Their three point shooting and great ball movement was the difference in them taking home the title.
The consolation championship (1-1) was won by the combined classes of 2006 and 2007. They were lead by sharp shooters Dustin Eggebrecht and Kyle Seidel. In the D3 bracket, (0-2) the young guns from the class of 2018 proved to have enough energy on Sunday to claim the honors. Quick ball handlers Nate Meyer and Armando Campa kept the defense on their heels.
There are two new teams joining the tournament in the recent graduating classes of 2022 and 2023. These teams hope to use their youth and a fast pace to their advantage. It is always a bit of an adjustment to play in the alumni basketball tournament, but the teams feel they are up to the challenge. On the other end of the spectrum, the veteran teams from the combined classes of 1994 & 1998, 1997 & 2000 and 1988 & 2001 hope to use their experience to make it into the championship bracket and play the role of spoiler if they can. Randy Rau from the class of 1988 will be the oldest player competing in the tournament this year.
Tournament play is scheduled for Saturday based on the seed each team was given. Seeding is based on their standing from the 2022 tournament. Games are played in a pool format on Saturday with each team playing two games within their pool. Play begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday in all three gyms of the Colby school complex.
Saturday’s results will determine which bracket each team will play on Sunday. Sunday’s format will be three single elimination brackets: the Alumni Championship bracket (2-0), the Consolation bracket (1-1), and Division III bracket (0-2). Sunday bracket play begins at 10 a.m. with the championship game being played at 5 p.m. at the high school gym. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students daily. Concessions will also be available.
It is a great weekend of basketball enjoyment for players and fans and provides the opportunity to reunite with friends and acquaintances. The Colby Athletic Booster Club invites everyone in the area to stop by and watch some very entertaining basketball.
