For the first time since 2007, Josh Buffington won't be in the huddle directing the Helias Crusaders in this week's Joe Machens Great 8 Classic at Fleming Fieldhouse.

Loeffler's Link

Dec. 26, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- For the first time in more than a decade, our holiday basketball tournament won't include the animated foot-stomping, River Dance passion of Josh Buffington on the sidelines.

Back to a time when LeBron James was only 23 and Tom Brady was still considered young ... at least by his standards.

This Joe Machens Great 8 Classic just won't be the same.

Buffington, the former Helias head coach, won 195 games in his tenure with the Crusaders and directed them to seven district championships and three Final Fours. He stepped down in May in large part to coach his sons, who are now in fourth and fifth grade.

"I'm being able to scratch the (coaching) itch with them," Buffington, 41, said. "It's a great way for me to stay somewhat attached to the place I love and obviously, be able to focus the majority of my time with the game on my own kids and their friends."

Last weekend, Buffington coached his boys in no less than 10 games in three days, so ... "I really don't have time to miss it. And spending time on the sidelines with my kids is something I've missed."

Buffington's teams had some memorable runs at the Machens Great 8 Classic, including some unforgettable battles with Michael Porter Jr. and Father Tolton.

"This was always a tournament that we could look back on," Buffington said, "and say it was the turning for us, whether we went 1-2, 2-1 or 3-0. It's such a great tournament because of the competition, obviously, but you have to prepare in less than 24 hours for your next game --- not only for different personnel, but for a different style. It just really challenged us.

"It's been a great tournament and will continue to be a great tournament."

The lure of coaching on a higher level still tugs at Buffington, at times.

"Obviously, I miss the kids, the camaraderie, the big practices, the big games ... that's just part of being a coach," Buffington said. "But I know the program's in great hands with Joe."

That would be first-year head coach Joe Rothweiler, who served as Buffington's assistant the last 10 years. The Crusaders are off to a 2-4 start, thanks to a brutal schedule and the season-ending knee injury suffered by multi-talented guard Marcus Anthony.

"We're not where we want to be right now, record-wise, but I love the group of guys we have," Rothweiler, 36, said. "They come to work every single day and they make it fun."

Helias opens the Great 8 against Mt. Lebanon, Pa., at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Fleming Fieldhouse, one of a plethora of games to be held in Jefferson City this week.

Thursday's other first-round games in the Great 8 are:

^ Blair Oaks vs. Harvest Prep (Winchester, Ohio), 4 p.m.

^ Jefferson City vs. Hopkinsville, Ky, 7 p.m., as the Jays seek their first win in the opening round of this event since 2009;

^ and Father Tolton vs. Kettering-Fairmont, Ohio, 8:30 p.m.

The girls State Farm Invitational also gets underway Thursday at Rackers Fieldhouse:

^ Jefferson City (ranked No. 1 Class 5) vs. Blue Springs South, 2:30 p.m.

^ Helias (No. 4 Class 4) vs. Eureka, 4 p.m.

^ Hickman vs. Poplar Bluff, 5:30 p.m.

^ Blair Oaks vs. St. Joseph Benton, the defending tournament champion, 7 p.m.

So when you're stuffed with turkey and ham leftovers, you're stuffed with all the leftover trimmings, and you've had your fill of desserts, presents and even family, here's your chance for something completely different.

Get stuffed on basketball.

"It is a great event, we're fortunate our guys can be a part of it every year," Rothweiler said. "We've had several great games over the years against several great players and great teams. It's a very good measuring stick for where we're at and it's usually a turning point, too.

"Looking at it on paper, I think it's one of the tougher Great 8 tournaments I've experienced over the years."

Does the ex-coach offer any advice?

"Joe and I have a very close relationship," Buffington said, "but I've stayed away from that. I'm 100 percent confident in him and he's 100 percent confident in himself. He knows what he's doing, I can promise you that.

"He's got the knowledge, he just needs the experience. And you can't get that experience until you move 18 inches over to your right."

As for Buffington, he's still in that chair ... and he's still stomping.

"But it's not as effective," he said with a smile, "because I'm usually wearing tennis shoes. But it is better on my back with rubber soles, I will say that."

Buffington won't be around this
time for Machens Great 8 Classic