Central Bank Shootout offers
great day of hoops at great price
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Rae' Quan Davis and the Jefferson City Jays will take their shot against Kansas City East at Saturday's Central Bank Shootout at Helias, while Nathan Bax (00) and the Crusaders will face Hogan Prep.
Feb. 2, 2017
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- What are you doing this weekend?
I double-dog dare you to find a better deal than this.
5 bucks.
You almost lose that in change when you take a nap on the couch.
Fans will have no less than 13 games to choose from Saturday, as Helias will serve as hosts for the annual Central Bank Shootout, all for one great value price.
"Anytime you can pay $5 for good entertainment anymore," Helias coach Josh Bufington said, "I think people get stoked about it."
Other pricing options are even better --- youth ages 6-14, $4; seniors 65 and over, $3; and children 5 and under, as well as students at participating high schools, free.
"It's a really fun day and a great event," Buffington said, "and it just seems to be get better every year. We really appreciate what Central Bank does for us and the sport of basketball in our community."
It's Central Bank's pleasure, again, as this is just one of numerous high school events the bank supports throughout the year.
"Central Bank is once again excited to support one of the state's top basketball shootouts, and very happy to do so at a local high school," Central Bank Marketing Director Clay Broughton said. "This tournament features not just great basketball, but outstanding student-athletes who represent their schools, their teams and their communities in the utmost fashion."
On Super Bowl weekend, this is Super Hoop Saturday.
There will be seven varsity games (four girls, three boys) played in Rackers Fieldhouse, and six corresponding JV games in the Helias Gym. The lone exception is the Eugene and Stoutland girls, who will play varsity only. The schools' varsity and JV teams will play in back-to-back time slots, allowing fans to watch both.
"It's a win-win for your program," Buffington said.
The quartet of girls games is highlighted by the top-ranked Jefferson City Lady Jays --- who were a late entry into the event --- putting their 16-1 mark on the line against Saxony Lutheran (15-5) at noon. At 3 p.m., Helias will take on Lebanon (14-5, No. 10 Class 5) and senior Kelsey Winfrey, who's committed to play at the Universiy of Missouri. Winfrey, a 5-9 guard, scored 23 points as Lebanon handed Jefferson City its only defeat of the season, 45-35 last month at Fleming Fieldhouse.
The boys take center stage at 4:30 p.m., starting with the Blair Oaks Falcons (16-3, No. 9 Class 3) facing Union at 4:30 p.m. The Jefferson City Jays take the court against Kansas City East at 6 p.m., before the Crusaders (15-4, No. 4, Class 4) square off against Hogan Prep to cap the festivities at 7:30 p.m.
"Hogan Prep's an explosive team, it should be a fast-paced game," Buffington said. "I think it will be an entertaining game to watch."
Early February games, however, would be considered the Dog Days of the basketball season, and it's tough to bring your A game every night out.
"This is definitely the grinding, back-end part of the season," Buffington said. "You want your guys to be fresh and focused, and you want their passion to be on a high note heading into the last part of the season. You want them playing basketball, you don't want them looking forward to spring weather."
There won't be a lack of passion for Saturday's Shootout.
"This is one of them, for sure," Buffington said. "It should be a great atmosphere, and it's always fun to see your kids make big plays in those moments.
"I think we've got some really good matchups, and we encourage everybody to come out and watch some good basketball."
All for a great price.
(The complete schedule for Saturday's Central Bank Shootout is on the Loeffler's Link homepage.)
Loeffler's Link