Smackover ready for holiday tourneys
With the holidays just around the corner, basketball teams across the state will be competing in numerous tournaments.
Smackover is no exception, but the Bucks will not be leaving Union County for the two events they will be participating in.
The Bucks will take on River Oaks (La.) tonight to begin play in the Winter Warrior Tipoff, which is being hosted by West Side Christian.
Game time is set for 6 p.m.
“We get to play some Louisiana teams,” Smackover coach A'Darius Wallace said of the teams the Bucks will see this week.
“Just trying to form an identity for our team and find an identity for ourselves before we get ready to get deeper in conference.”
Next week, Smackover will participate in the Parkers Chapel Holiday Classic.
“It's about the same,” Wallace said of the field. “We're playing some Louisiana teams in both of those tournaments. Just trying to get some different competition before we get deeper into conference.”
Wallace said the next few weeks will provide an opportunity for the Bucks to grow and help prepare them for the resumption of conference play in January.
“It's always a great opportunity,” Wallace said. “It's always a great thing when these guys can go out and get better every day, but it's not going to decide if we make it to March or not. It's going to help us build, but it's not life or death or get in or out of the state tournament, and that's the goal.”
Wallace said he may use the time to change things up to try different combinations on the floor.
“Maybe so,” Wallace said. “Just getting to see different things and working on the craft of different things that teams are playing us in.
“Just getting an opportunity to get into those situational or in-game moments as we get ready for conference.”
Smackover enters this week with a record of 4-6, including wins over Bearden and DeWitt over a three-game stretch.
“Not too bad,” Wallace said of the Bucks' start. “We're learning. These guys don't quit. They just keep fighting and playing hard.”
Wallace said he was concerned about the lack of experience his team has at the outset of the season, but has been pleased with their effort.
“At first, it was how young we were as far as experience goes, but these guys aren't backing down,” Wallace said. “They're playing hard. They're giving it everything they've got every time they step on the floor.”