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Can Donettes win another Lady Royals Christmas Classic title?
BROSELEY — Since its inception in the late 1990s, the Lady Royals Christmas Classic at Twin Rivers High School has become one of the premier holiday tournaments in Southeast Missouri.
This year’s tournament tips off Saturday and concludes next Saturday, with three days off — Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas.
“The only negative I can come up with regarding the tournament this year is the fact that we had to split before and after Christmas and it competes (this year) with the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament and the Poplar Bluff Showdown,” TRHS athletic director and alumna Kelly Westerfield said. “We also were not able to get 16 teams to commit this year, so we have two byes for the first and second rounds, giving us two less games each day.
“(Lady Royals) coach (Michael) Snider and I fully believe we will be able to get those two spots filled next year and the dates also will allow us to complete the tournament before Christmas again.”
Westerfield graduated shortly before the tournament’s debut and never got to play in it herself, but she still enjoys being a part of it every year.
“My favorite part of the tournament is just the fellowship of so many basketball-loving people and the giving that takes place throughout the process,” Westerfield said. “It’s definitely a competitive tournament and each coach and team are looking to win — but we also get to see a different side of everyone with the downtime (at the tournament). …
“There are so many people behind the scenes working the clock, getting scorebooks, cooking, cleaning and streaming just to make sure these kids all get the best tournament experience possible. It’s also nice to see all the former retired coaches return to show their support as well.”
Leading the way at this year’s tournament is three-time defending champion Doniphan, who enters the tournament 6-0 and have a 64-36 win over second-seeded Neelyville.
The Donettes have won all of their games by at least 18 points this season and have not lost a regular-season game since Feb. 17, 2023.
“We look forward to the LRCC every year,” Doniphan coach Adam Epps said. “It is a great tournament for girls basketball in our area and it is run extremely well by Kelly and her staff. We enjoy playing in a (14-team) tournament and enjoy how well it is run. It is a competitive tournament and has been for years and we are glad we are a part of it.”
Another coach who looks forward to the LRCC is Poplar Bluff coach Soley Dugas, whose Lady Mules are the fifth seed at the tournament and entered Thursday’s game at Notre Dame with a 5-2 record.
“(I am) going into the tournament excited and looking forward to us being pretty competitive this year,” Dugas said. “We’ve worked hard in the off-season and I think what we are showing so far this year as far as success is a testament to that. Obviously, there’s still a lot of games left to be played but I am looking forward to it all.”
The Lady Mules open the tournament Saturday with 12th-seeded Holcomb and if they win, will face the winner of East Carter and Hayti in second-round action Monday for a potential semifinal matchup next Friday with Doniphan.
“For us to make a deep run, we need to keep our turnovers down, be more consistent at converting defensive stops to points, and make free throws,” Dugas said.
Last but not least, Dugas enjoys getting to be in a holiday tournament without having to leave Butler County.
“It’s great to be able to play in a tournament so close to home over the holiday break,” Dugas said. “The girls and I look forward to playing in front of family and friends.”