Move over Robbie Coker, Sand Rock's John Blackwell new Big Dawg in NE Bama Holiday Hoops Tourneys

  Couple Christmases ago Robbie Coker of Jeremy Pruett's Plainview HS had a state chapmpion 2a HS from inside the Atlanta  Loop come to Sand Mtn Alabama for a holiday tourney. Robbie was later to use a homeschooled 3 point artist and the grandson of a Tinker fellow recruited from nearby Jackson County to win the state championship in Alabama 3 A.

   It was the year for Heather Mayes girls of Plainview but she is in Guntersville now as the result of some interesting school politics.

   But I digress. I was there to see the Blue boys go well into the fourth quarter before the Atlanta all black team won the game. In fact I shouted out it's over with about four minutes to go as I left the front row of the opposing section. I sat beside the father of the Coach from Atlanta and it was an enjoyable memorable occasion.

   But the three point specialist is gone, the Tinker boy whose grandfather played at Auburn against Pistol Pete Mararich of LSU himself and held him to 27 according to local legend and John Blackwell is now on the scene at Sand Rock.

     Blackwell is a graduate of Collinsville HS where my Mother graduated in 1940 and Blackwell's sister Pam in 91.  John finished in 87 with Wayne Dowdy who possibly coulda made a Tinker/Coker squad. JB is at Sand Rock now where he has an impressive lineup of 9th and tenth graders one who may play major college or the Socon. Their product Wormy Norris Grandson  by way of Albertville played at Bama for five years.

    But John has gotten one of the top five HS  teams in the nation to come to his tourney the week before Christmas coming up. Games will be played in Centre Alabama at the satellite campus of Gadsden State.

   IMG out of Bradenton Floriday, the same concoction that produced Derrick Henry who I saw with the Titans a couple years ago, Saban's Heisman trophy dude ( one of em); IMG is flying into Cherokee Co Alabama and staying at Chestnut Bay resort on Weis Lake about two miles down Lookout Mtn from Bill Glenn's Mtn Grill Restaurant. If they eat there I would think Bill owes me at least three equivalent of ten dollar outings.

    Google IMG up. They are impressive and travel nationally. Site says they will also play in Charlotte and Farragut HS of Knoxville this year.

    Blackwell is excited as he deserves to be. He texted IMG Coach Clapper  said will be the first time his team has played in Bama. Teams are coming in from Kentucky as well and Tuscaloosa Central from SabanTown. The Collinsville Panthers are in with our tenth grader Cordell Worthy, the grandson of NBA and UNC Lakers legend James Worthy. I saw James play in 77 and calls have been made hoping the Legend himself may make an appearance.

   IF JB builds on this hopefully my Gaffney Indians can come in a few years. The Indians who were a threepeat in SC in the largest division, and produced LJ Peak, the Georgetown star who just missed the Celtics by three playes; if Gaffney has one of those teams and JB can set them up at Chestnut bay and Bill Glenn's well who knows where this NE Bama roundball is going.

    I hear Solomon Stanton and Sol Simpson may go over for a game. Haven't heard about Wayne Dowdy but wouldn't be surprised to see him and Neal Thrash there as well.

    Pam Blackwell should be keeping the books when the Rock takes the floor.....Kirby Deboard left the building.