State tourney to be held in city this weekend

More than 100 youth basketball teams will gather in Russellville this weekend for the Alabama Parks and Recreation Association state championships.
Teams from as far away as Birmingham, Gadsden and Mobile will participate in the tournament.
“This will be a big boost for the local economy and will give our city the exposure we need in showing the resources and hospitality that we have,” Russellville City Councilman David Grissom said.
The tournament is held at the site of the largest bidder each year. The city of Russellville bid $11,100 for the rights to host the tournament this year and have already made enough in entry fees to recoup that amount.
“So far we have 100 teams at $150 each, so that’s already $15,000 plus gate fees and concession proceeds,” Russellville Parks and Recreation director Chad Sears said.
“This is something that not only more than pays for itself, but it also helps all of our local businesses, restaurants and hotels.”
The tournament begins at 6 p.m. Friday and resumes each morning at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
It includes teams from the following age groups: boys and girls 8 and under, boys and girls 10 and under, boys and girls 12 and under, boys 14 and under and boys 18 and under.
“There will be different age groups playing throughout the weekend and in various sites,” Russellville Parks and Recreation department assistant director Jeff Studdard said.
Games will be played at the Ralph C. Bishop Community Center, the Chucky Mullins Center, the Russellville High School and middle school gyms, and at Tharptown and Belgreen high schools.
“We could not have hosted this without all of the city’s resources and Belgreen and Tharptown working with us in using their gyms,” Studdard said.
“Mike Shewbart and all of the folks at Red Bay have also been very helpful in making sure this tournament is as good as it can be.”
Shewbart, who serves as director of the Red Bay Parks and Recreation department as well as vice president of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, said Red Bay would place nine teams in the tournament.
Red Bay sponsors the all-star teams from all the county youth leagues. Russellville will have five teams in the tournament.
“This is just a great opportunity to promote our area and help take our youth to a different level,” Shewbart said.
“I think everyone from across the state who comes here will see that Franklin County is a special place.”