Holiday Classic set to tip off for 35th time
Dec. 20—Family togethers, eggnog and singing Christmas carols are all staples of the holiday season, and so is three days of high school basketball in Cooke County.
The 35th annual First State Bank Holiday Classic will be held Dec. 28-30 at Callisburg High School. The 24-team tournament features boys and girls high school basketball teams from across Texas each playing four games over three days.
The tournament, started by KGAF Radio, began in 1988 at what was then Cooke County College. Since then, the college, Gainesville High School, Lindsay High School and now Callisburg High School have hosted the event. It has been held every year except for 2020 when Covid forced the cancelation of all UIL tournaments.
"It's hard to believe it's been 36 years since Tom Carson made the Holiday Classic a reality. It really does seem like it was just yesterday," said tournament director Darin Allred of Cooke County SportsTalk. "There have been some really good teams and some outstanding players compete in the tournament over the years. Some who played in the tournament now have children who are playing in the Classic. It's great for fans because you can see a lot of games in one location."
First State Bank has been a sponsor and supporter of the Holiday Classic since its inception and is back as the title sponsor in 2023. Other sponsors include PenTex Energy, D&L Farm and Home, Nortex Communication, Woodlands Medical, Taco Casa — Whitesboro and Hometown Radio KGAF.
The tournament also serves as a fundraiser for the Callisburg Wildcat Booster Club and specifically, the Wildcat and Lady Cat basketball teams.
The 2023 First State Bank Holiday Classic will include 12 girls and 12 boys varsity teams. Each team will play two pool games which will seed them into bracket play. The first-place team from each pool will move into the Gold Bracket, the second-place team goes to the Silver Bracket, and the third-place team plays in the Bronze Bracket. Trophies are awarded to the champion of each bracket. In addition, an All-Tournament team and Most Valuable Player awards will be presented on the final day.
Girls teams participating include Callisburg, Collinsville, Denton Calvary, Era, Gainesville, Howe, Iowa Park, Pilot Point, Sacred Heart, Throckmorton, Tioga and Valley View.
Boys teams include Callisburg, Collinsville, Denton Calvary, Era, Fort Worth Country Day, Fort Worth Trinity Valley, Lindsay, Pilot Point, Red River, Sacred Heart, Sanger and Tioga.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students for all-day admission and can be purchased at the door. All games will be played at Callisburg High School using both the main gym and auxiliary gym.
