Recreational Spectacles — A New Way to Look at Sports in the Ozarks

No, this isn't the trophy for the Pink and White Tournament, but maybe it should be.

OK, so that ball in the picture above isn’t the trophy for the upcoming Pink and White Tournament, nor is it the type of ball you’ll see in McDonald Arena. However, if Mount Vernon’s Kenzie Williams has anything to do with either, she could probably make it happen.

But before we get to talking about how Williams is the top individual talent in the P&W, let’s talk about the main reason to get excited about this year’s Pink and White Tournament — the tournament planning committee.

Let’s start with a round of applause for the Greenwood folks who now have the ability and facilities to begin both divisions of the Blue and Gold Tournament, as well as the Pink and White at the same time. As I’m sure you’re familiar with, the P&W always gave way to its male counterpart, the B&G, using both McDonald Arena and Hammons Student Center to get its 16 first-round games completed on the day after Christmas. The P&W waited, starting the next day and sometimes finishing on New Year’s Eve. Yuck.

But now, with JQH Arena in the mix, the B&G is taking JQH and HSC and letting the P&W dominate McDonald Arena the same day as the boys. And, more impressively, the P&W championship is on the same day as the B&G finals and it’s at JQH Arena. Genius. And about time.

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Basketball holds a special place in the hearts of Ozarks sports fans, especially when it comes to girls’ high school basketball.

Historically, there’s been enough local talent to fuel the fires of many local college programs, with Missouri State, as well as Drury and College of the Ozarks, most recently. Others like Kickapoo’s Heather Ezell have flourished in the Big 12 (Iowa State). Actually, it’s considered a down season when a local girls’ hoops team doesn’t bring home a state title. Last year, three girls’ basketball teams won state titles: Nixa (Class 5), Sparta (C2) and Exeter (C1). Two others made final four runs, as well (Fair Grove and Webb City).

That’s why brushing up on this year’s names and faces is so important. And besides, you want to sound smarter, when someone brings up the topic, right?

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