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McAlester readies to host inaugural Primus Moore Invitational

derek hatridge, mcalester news-capital, okla.
·3 min read

Dec. 13—McAlester will host teams from around the state Jan. 4-6 as they descend upon the McAlester Activity Center for the inaugural Primus Moore Invitational basketball tournaments.

Jenks, Southeast, Edmond Santa Fe, Tulsa Will Rogers, Shawnee, Durant, and Muskogee will join the Lady Buffs on the girls side, while Jenks, Southeast, Tulsa Will Rogers, Shawnee, Durant, Muskogee, and Memorial's junior varsity squad will join the Buffs on the boys side.

The tournament is named for the late Primus Moore, who began his deep commitment to education when he attended L'Ouverture School in McAlester, the public school for Black students in McAlester prior to integration with McAlester Public Schools in 1968. He graduated as Class President of the L'Ouverture Class of 1965.

In recent years, Moore worked with Herbert Keith, the valedictorian of the L'Ouverture graduating Class of 1965, to help lead efforts to save and renovate the former school.

Moore dedicated his life to education in his home town, spending 39 years at McAlester Public Schools in various roles, including assistant principal at Parker and Jefferson schools, director of Professional Development, instructor of adult education, music instructor at Parker and Jefferson, and science and math teacher.

Moore was also a passionate member of his community, serving in multiple roles including as a U.S. Army reservist, and a member of multiple organizations such as the McAlester Planning and Zoning Committee, NAACP, McAlester Community Choir, Balcony Brass and McAlester Woodcarvers.

The tournament will take place from Jan. 4-6, and each team will be guaranteed three games each.

Here are the complete brackets for the inaugural Primus Moore Invitational:

GIRLS

THURSDAY, JAN. 4

G1: Santa Fe vs. Durant, 10 a.m.

G2: Rogers vs. Shawnee, 1 p.m.

G3: Jenks vs. Southeast, 4 p.m.

G4: McAlester vs. Muskogee, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 5

G5: Loser G2 vs. Loser G4, 10 a.m.

G6: Loser G3 vs. Loser G1, 1 p.m.

G7: Winner G3 vs. Winner G1, 4 p.m.

G8: Winner G2 vs. Winner G4, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

G9: Loser G6 vs. Loser G5, 10 a.m. (Seventh place)

G10: Winner G6 vs. Winner G5, 1 p.m. (Fifth place)

G11: Loser G7 vs. Loser G8, 4 p.m. (Third place)

G12: Winner G7 vs. Winner G8, 7 p.m. (Championship)

BOYS

THURSDAY, JAN. 4

G1: Roger vs. Durant, 11:30 a.m.

G2: Muskogee vs. Southeast, 2:30 p.m.

G3: Jenks vs. Memorial JV, 5:30 p.m.

G4: McAlester vs. Shawnee, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 5

G5: Loser G3 vs. Loser G4, 11:30 a.m.

G6: Loser G2 vs. Loser G1, 2:30 p.m.

G7: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 5:30 p.m.

G8: Winner G2 vs. Winner G1, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

G9: Loser G5 vs. Loser G6, 11:30 a.m. (Seventh place)

G10: Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 2:30 p.m. (Fifth place)

G11: Loser G7 vs. Loser G8, 5:30 p.m. (Third place)

G12: Winner G7 vs. Winner G8, 8:30 p.m. (Championship)