It’s time to stock up on the Icy-Hot and ibuprofen.
After over a ten-year hiatus, the Central Kentucky Industrial Basketball Tournament is returning to the area this fall.
With a history of winners including TG Kentucky, Cox Interiors, Morton Plastics and Kentucky Cooperage, the tournament is once again coming to life to support a local community support group, the Heartland Coalition of Marion County.
“This is a great way to build teamwork and spirit within your company, while at the same time raising funds for our local organization. It’s a win-win for our community and those that play in the tournament,” Heartland representative Tori Thomas explained.
The newly named Heartland Industrial Basketball Tournament will be played at the Marion County Sportsplex from Nov. 24-26, the weekend of the Thanksgiving break for most workers.
The tournament is open to industries located within Marion, Washington, Taylor and Nelson Counties. Eligible players must be full-time workers or part-time workers hired at least three months before the tournament date. For companies with less than 50 workers, spouses or engaged partners may also participate.
Local professionals like bankers or attorneys may bond together to for a team provided approval of tournament director.
The tournament fee will be $250 per team and each team may have up to 15 participants on its roster. Larger companies like TG Kentucky may have more than one team competing. Entry fees and rosters must be submitted to the Sportsplex by November 20 and all rosters must be signed by the company human resources or management to certify the team members.
Two courts will be in use during the tournament and officials will be assigned through the local KHSAA assignor. All teams will be guaranteed at least three games in pool play before the single-elimination portion of the tournament.
The Heartland Industrial Basketball Tournament features some unique rules that include six-minute quarters, six personal fouls per player and a five-minute halftime. Special rules for this year’s tournament include a new one to encourage older players to get involved. For all 50-and-over players, any made field goal outside the paint will be considered a four-point basket. These older players will wear a special bracelet to signify the age requirement.
“We thought this was a great way to let players who may have participated in the tournament years ago to have a bigger role this time. It adds a little something to the event and I think teams would be smart to adjust their rosters,” Thomas said with a laugh.
Winners of the tournament will be awarded with t-shirts and bragging rights for at least a full year. The victorious company will also have the traveling trophy to display in its corporate office.
Admission to the tournament is $2 per person and includes players since most of the companies are paying the entry fees.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Heartland Coalition and are tax-deductible. This 501c3 organization works on substance abuse prevention and community safety initiatives including the homeless and offers school-based programming.
For mor information contact Doug Thomas (270) 699-5756