BPC readies for 6th annual High School Christmas Classic

By Jose Caraballo

BPC Sports Information Director

Coach John D. Jones

MOUNT VERNON—Sixteen boy’s and girl’s teams representing ten high schools are set to take center court Saturday, Dec. 27 at the 6th Annual BPC High School Christmas Classic. 

Five of the 10 teams are local, which include: Treutlen, Montgomery, Toombs and Tattnall counties and Vidalia. Class 1-A to 5-A will be represented, with teams coming from as far north as Atlanta, and as far south as Charlton County. 

John D. Jones, BPC Head Men’s Basketball Coach, is the Event Coordinator.  When Coach Jones was asked why this event is important for Brewton-Parker College, Coach Jones simply answered, “Exposure. This tournament will allow people from all over Georgia to visit our campus and see our facilities. Gillis Gymnasium is one of the best venues in our region. By hosting this tournament, we hope to increase interest in our school.”

Coach Jones went on to explain that hosting high school tournaments is also important for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Brewton-Parker College. 

“The primary benefit of hosting this tournament is recruiting,” Coach Jones enthusiastically stated. “We will see the best basketball players from our area and beyond. Brewton-Parker is committed to building our programs with strong local talent.”

Coach Jones is also excited about the impact hosting an event like this will have on our community. 

“Our tournament represents family-friendly sports entertainment opportunity. Not to mention the fact that the teams that travel to our tournament will stay at our sponsor hotel (Comfort Inn of Vidalia), eat in our local restaurants, and therefore, have a great impact on our local economy,” said Jones.

Brewton-Parker College is developing a statewide reputation as being an excellent venue to host tournaments of this nature. The demand to enter this event was so great that BPC, unfortunately, had to turn several teams away. 

“We are very excited to host this tournament and feel blessed with the facilities we have,” added Jones.

The tournament is open to the community. The cost is just $6 to watch eight games each day. The dates for the tournament are December 27, 29 and 30.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia.

-BPC-