2016 Hoopsfest lineup features Coast's best

Hoopsfest is back for a 22nd year -- with a slightly different all-day schedule.

The Mississippi Coast Coliseum event was pared down to seven games and the always popular "Bring down the house" dunk contest as well as the "hot shots" 3-point competition were moved to the end of the evening.

Once again, the event will feature some of the top talent not just from the Coast, but from the region.

In addition to 12 Coast teams, the Jan. 30 event will welcome Provine (8-5) from Jackson and Riverside Academy (8-3) from New Orleans.

"There's not a lot of events that can boast 22 years," Coliseum assistant executive director Matt McDonnell said during Wednesday's coaches luncheon. "... Just two years ago we were all talking about (Moss Point's) Devin Booker, who was going to be the star of Hoopsfest. Two years later he's a star in the NBA, so you never know what's going to happen. We've had a lot of talent come through here over the years who have played on this floor. We're proud of that."

East Central (9-7) and Ocean Springs (7-7) open the event at 10 a.m., followed by Moss Point (6-8) versus West Harrison (5-7) at 11:30 a.m. and Bay (8-4) against Harrison Central (6-8) at 1 p.m.

The evening slate will feature Pascagoula (10-4) against D'Iberville (13-3) at 2:30 p.m., Pass Christian (11-4) against Biloxi (11-5) at 4 p.m. and Provine facing off against St. Martin (13-4) at 5:30 p.m. Gulfport (12-6) and Riverside will clash at 7 p.m. to conclude the game slate. The dunk and 3-point competitions will follow at 8:30 p.m.

"We think it's an honor and a privilege to play in one of the biggest events on the Coast," Moss Point coach Tony Woody said. "Hoopfest, all-day basketball, and you get to see some of the best teams in the same place. You look forward to it every year, getting to showcase what you do to people who normally don't get a chance to see you play."

Excited to be included

East Central coach Wes Brewer joked his team would play at 7 a.m. if it meant being included for the first time.

"This is huge for our program," he said. "Just to be included ... all of the coaches here are well known, respected and best of the best. Just to sit here at this table and be included with these guys is amazing.

"We're in the process of changing the culture as far as basketball is concerned (at East Central), so it's just overwhelming being here."

One of the up-and-coming teams on the Coast this year is D'Iberville. After winning 10 games in each of the last three seasons, the Warriors have already racked up 13 wins heading into district play.

"I think we've finally found our identity," coach Lorenzo Wright said. "You're going to see us dive on the floor for loose balls and make hustle plays to stay in the game. It also helps when you have guys like Evan Howard and Zach Scales.

"Everything is just coming together."

Tighter security

The tournament made national headlines last year, but it wasn't because of the action on the court. Rather the brawl that took place in the stands overshadowed the annual event.

"That was embarrassing. It really was," McDonnell said. "And we're at a high school basketball game. We're not at a hockey match or a concert. We're at a high school basketball event and these kids weren't here to watch basketball. They were here to start trouble."

In an effort to ensure this year's event isn't derailed, security will be ramped up. Specifically, school resource officers will be in attendance and the upper bowl of the arena will be closed to spectators.

"I don't want troublemakers here. I want people who want to come see basketball," McDonnell said to the coaches. "We're not going to tolerate it. We're going to do our best to stop it.

"It's going to be no nonsense. ... This is about your teams and making sure your fans are safe and have a good experience. We're going to work our butts off to make sure that happens."

Ticket info

Tickets are $7 through the participating high schools and $10 at the Coliseum day of the event. Parking is $5.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "2016 Hoopsfest lineup features Coast's best ."