Mitch Wilson Thanksgiving Classic Starts Friday

Cannon County basketball fans are among the best in the state because they understand and appreciate the sport.

It is a passion for most.

Although Cannon County fans are treated to quality hoops throughout the season due to the quality of the prep basketball programs, they will have an opportunity to get all of the basketball they can take during the fourth annual Mitch Wilson State Farm Thanksgiving Classic this week.

Schools throughout Tennessee, and one from Georgia, will participate as 30 games will be played at two venues during a two-day period.

Games will be played at Cannon County High School and Woodbury Grammar School Friday (Nov. 25) and Saturday (Nov. 26), beginning at 9:30 a.m., both days.

"The Classic is great for the fans because it is good quality basketball," said Wilson, the Classic sponsor. "(Lionettes Head Coach Michael) Dodgen and (Lions Head Coach Matt) Rigsby do a good job putting this event together and getting these good teams. It's a lot of hard work but our fans enjoy it and that makes it worthwhile."

Cannon County's teams will play the nightcap both days. The Lionettes face Greater Gwinnett (Ga.) Friday at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Lions facing Gwinnett boys at 8 p.m. Cannon County's girls will face Class AAA White County in its final Classic game Saturday at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Lions closing the two-day event against Jackson County at 8.

In all, there will be eight games at CCHS and seven at Woodbury Grammar each day, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and running throughout the day.

Schools included in the field are Cannon County, White County, Lebanon, Brentwood, Franklin County, Blackman, CAK, Cookeville, Notre Dame, BGA, Grundy County, Greater Gwinnett, Smith County, Upperman, Tullahoma, Warren County, Sequatchie County, Webb School and Jackson County.

"Coach Rigsby and I wanted to get the best teams that we could to come to this event," Dodgen said. "We have some quality teams again this year and we have some new teams. Mitch Wilson does a fantastic job of supporting our teams and our school. He has done everything and anything we have asked him to do for this Classic. He is a big reason it has been a success and continues to grow."

2011 Mitch Wilson Classic
Friday
CCHS
9:30 a.m. White Co. vs. Lebanon (B)
11 a.m. White Co. vs. Brentwood (G)
12:30 p.m. Brentwood vs. Franklin Co. (B)
2 p.m. Blackman vs. CAK (G)
3:30 p.m. Cookeville vs. Notre Dame (B)
5 p.m. Cookeville vs. Grundy Co. (G)
6:30 p.m. Cannon Co. vs. Greater Gwinnett (G)
8 p.m. Cannon Co. vs. Greater Gwinnett (B)

Woodbury Grammar
9:30 a.m. Smith Co. vs. Webb School (G)
11 a.m. Smith Co. vs. Webb School (B)
12:30 p.m. Notre Dame vs. BGA (G)
2 p.m. Upperman vs. Tullahoma (B)
3:30 p.m. Upperman vs. Tullahoma (G)
5 p.m. Warren Co. vs. Jackson Co. (B)
6:30 p.m. Warren Co. vs. Sequatchie Co. (G)

Saturday
CCHS
9:30 a.m. Cookeville vs. Tullahoma (B)
11 a.m. Cookeville vs. Blackman (G)
12:30 p.m. CAK vs. Grundy Co. (G)
2 p.m. Brentwood vs. Lebanon (B)
3:30 p.m. Smith Co. vs. Sequatchie Co. (G)
5 p.m. Smith Co. vs. White Co. (B)
6:30 p.m. Cannon Co. vs. White Co. (G)
8 p.m. Cannon Co. vs. Jackson Co. (B)

Woodbury Grammar
9:30 a.m. No game
11 a.m. Upperman vs. Greater Gwinnett (G)
12:30 p.m. Upperman vs. Greater Gwinnett (B)
2 p.m. Notre Dame vs. Warren Co. (G)
3:30 p.m. Notre Dame vs. Warren Co. (B)
5 p.m. Brentwood vs. Tullahoma (G)
6:30 p.m. BGA vs. Webb School (G)
8 p.m. Franklin Co. vs. Webb School (B)