On the 60th anniversary of the first tilt, the Middle Tennessee Invitational basketball tournament returns to Franklin High School through Saturday, bringing a stellar field of boys and girl's teams for a final holiday warm-up before the grind of district schedules and post season tourneys start in January. "This tournament first started in 1958, 60 years ago; it's a part of the history," said Franklin boys' head coach and marketing guru Darrin Joines. "It's one of the things I love about this school. The history is so rich here." The tournament eventually moved around before seeing it's last gasp at Lebanon in 1989. Joines mentioned the tournament to Franklin girls' coach John Wild and the tournament was resuscitated.
On the boys' side of the tournament, Stratford (3-4) will play West Creek (6-7) at 1 p.m., followed at 2:30 p.m. by a rematch of Cane Ridge (7-4) and Nolensville (6-6). The Knights topped the Ravens 75-71 just two weeks ago at Cane Ridge. The final two games of the night bring a pair of marquee matchups as Class AAA No. 7 Franklin (10-2) goes up against Rossview (8-2), with Hawks riding a seven-game win streak. The last game of the night pits Class AA No. 6 East Nashville (9-3) taking on No. 2 South Gibson (12-1) in what could be preview to the state tournament in Murfreesboro. South Gibson's only loss came to Class A No. 1 Humboldt on the road four weeks ago.
Joines knows what a tough line-up inhabits the boys bracket. "The boys bracket includes five teams that made at least the substate last year and that does not include East Nashville, who may have arguably had the best team last year in terms of the participants on the boys side," he said. A win over Rossview leaves the Rebels to face the winner of the East Nashville-South Gibson game, a task few would relish this early in the season. "I think when you have a good team and want to get better, you have to embrace competition," Joines said. "Beating teams by 40 points doesn't help you be all you can be by the end of the season. I believe this tournament is already one of the best around in terms of competition and the hype that will surround the event. I think padding the record is detrimental come March and we hope to be playing in March."
Second-round games run all day Friday starting at 10 a.m. with consolation finals Saturday. The girls' title game is set for Saturday night at 7 p.m. with the boys championship immediately following. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for school aged children each day.
Middle Tennessee Invitational Tournament Schedule
Franklin High School
Thursday
10 am Girls Forrest (8-3) v. Rossview (9-2)
11:30 am Girls East Nashville (13-0) v. Beech (9-3)
1 pm Boys West Creek (6-7) v. Stratford (3-4)
2:30 pm Boys Nolensville (6-6) v. Cane Ridge (7-4)
4 pm Girls Nolensville (7-5) v. Father Ryan (7-3)
5:30 pm Girls Franklin (7-5) v. Cane Ridge (2-7)
7 pm Boys Franklin (10-2) v. Rossview (8-2)
8:30 pm Boys East Nashville (9-3) v. South Gibson (12-1)
Friday
10 am Girls Forrest/Rossview loser v. East Nashville/Beech loser
11:30 am Girls Nolensville/Father Ryan loser v. Franklin/Cane Ridge loser
5:30 pm Girls Nolensville/Father Ryan winner v. Franklin/Cane Ridge winner
7 pm Boys West Creek/Stratford winner v. Nolensville/Cane Ridge winner
8:30 pm Boys Franklin/Rossview winner v. East Nashville/South Gibson winner
Saturday
10 am Girls Seventh Place Game
11:30 pm Boys Seventh Place Game
1 pm Girls Fifth Place Game
2:30 pm Boys Fifth Place Game
4 pm Girls Third Place Game
5:30 pm Boys Third Place Game
7 pm Girls Championship Game
8:30 pm Boys Championship Game
Source: Williamson Herald
