ROGERS — Preston Early and Kevin Ramey talked about putting together a high-quality girls high school basketball holiday tournament more than a decade ago when they coached side-by-side for Rogers High.
Ramey moved across town four years ago to become the head coach at Rogers Heritage, but the idea between the two never died.
Great 8 Classic
At King Arena, Rogers High
Today
Game 1: Fort Smith Southside vs. Ozark, Mo., 4 p.m.
Game 2: Greenwood vs. Little Rock McCllelan, 5:30 p.m.
Game 3: Rogers High vs. Little Rock Christian, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Rogers Heritage vs. Beebe, 8:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 5: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4, 4 p.m.
Game 6: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3, 5:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Game 8: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, Noon.
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 1:30 p.m.
Game 11: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 3 p.m.
Game 12: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 4:30 p.m.
About a year ago, the two talked with Mark Holderbaum, athletic director for Rogers Public Schools, about turning the talk into reality and the Great 8 Classic was born.
Rogers High will host the initial eight-team tournament, which begins today at King Arena. But it will rotate between Rogers and Heritage. Teams are guaranteed three games with the tournament finals set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
“We had breakfast about a year ago and met with Mr. Holderbaum and said ‘What would it take?’ and we came away from that meeting believing it was doable,” Early said. “Really all three of us worked to make it happen.
“We think it will be very good for our programs and good for the community.”
Ramey said they also wanted to bring in quality teams to help Heritage and Rogers prepare for conference play and showcase girls basketball.
“We’re going to get challenged and stretched,” Ramey said, “and that’s what we want.”
The Lady War Eagles (2-0) open the tournament at 8:30 p.m. today against Beebe, which returns three starters from a team which advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament.
Rogers (1-1) opens at 7 p.m. today against Class 5A Little Rock Christian, which made the state semifinals in 2011 and state finals in 2010. Throw in defending 5A state champion Greenwood, which returns five starters, Fort Smith Southside and traditional power Ozark, Mo., and there’s plenty of quality in this year’s field.