Alabama-MSU alumni basketball games to benefit Quinn's Ranch

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
RED BAY-When the Southeastern Conference released its 2004-2005 men's basketball schedule last summer, the March 5 match-up between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Mississippi State Bulldogs looked like one of the year's biggest games, possibly with the Western division title at stake.
Now, the two powers are scheduled to meet once again, now one week later, with something else on the line.
Celebrity teams from the two SEC rivals will square off at Red Bay High School on March 12 to cap off a week-long fund-raising effort for the Quinn's Ranch boys home.
A tournament will begin the second week of March pitting old high school rivals against one another, only this time they will be playing for a greater cause than just bragging rights.
Teams playing in the tournament will consist of alumni from high schools all across north Alabama and Mississippi. To play in the tournament, participants must have graduated prior to 1995 and they must play for the high school that they attended.
The tournament will conclude with the championships and celebrity game on March 12, with the women tipping off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the celebrity game at 6 p.m. and ending with the men's title game at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The sidelines will be filled with visible representatives of both universities during the celebrity game, including both women's head basketball coaches.
The game will also feature Alabama football defensive coordinator Joe Kines, recruiting coordinator Randy Ross, MSU recruiting coordinator Rocky Felker and former Alabama quarterback and current MSU assistant coach Freddie Kitchens.
An autograph session will be held at 4 p.m. that day and will include Alabama's mascot, "Big Al" (pictured at left.)
The Old Timers Basketball Tournament does not begin until the second week of March, but teams need to register by Monday, Feb. 21. The tournament is being sponsored by Long-Lewis Ford of the Shoals.
For more information and to register, call Kim Tucker at 256-356-8660 or Dawn Mason at 256-356-8900.