Having a ball off the tournament court

Despite bright blue skies and bright sunshine outdoors, the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center was a choice spot Saturday to spend the holidays, watch some basketball and socialize.

Brandon Bueter, 18, of Leopold sat in the stands with three young women to his left. Having played a 9 a.m. game against Meadow Heights, his agenda included staying until 9 Saturday night. This is his fifth year attending the tournament.

"It's a tradition," he said, "a gathering of teammates, friends and family from surrounding towns and cities. I meet up with people I played with in the summer leagues."

Beuter and Wendy Vandeven, 18, Melinda Trankle, 18, and Lori VanderMierden, 17, all grew up together in Leopold. For Trankle, the reunion is especially meaningful since attending Southeast Missouri State University and working limits time she gets to spend with her old high school friends.

The friends sat quite a distance away from the crowd, but Bueter said he actually prefers crowds even when playing. "I don't see the crowd when I'm out there, but it's nice to know the stands are full."

St. Paul Lutheran School student Aaron Bollinger, 6, of Jackson likes basketball. He spends the whole day at the Christmas tournament with his parents. He knows Brad Adams and Anthony Bollinger, players on the Meadow Heights team. It's exciting when they're out there.

"I yell and tell them to throw the ball," said Aaron.

Tim Mayhall and Nathan Burford, both 15, agree that attending the games is just part of the agenda while out on Christmas break. Both Benton, Mo., residents, they're rooting for Kelly High School. Mayhall, who plays on freshman and junior varsity teams, could ultimately play in the tournament next year.

"That never dawned on me 'til now," he said.

Instead of waking up and going to school, John Pinkson, 13, wakes up and comes to the tournament. A serious basketball fan, Pinkston will attend the entire tournament with his parents -- without sitting with them. Pinkston instead sits with 14-year-old Travis Scherer, a friend he met through AAU competition.

"My parents also have church members' kids playing too," Scherer said.

Dana and Benny Seabaugh of Daisy, Mo., came with their two children Becky, 12, and Adam, 14, to support Oak Ridge players, many of whom they know from the neighborhood. "Benny knows a lot of the coaches and spends a lot of time talking to other people. He loves sports. We're just kind of here with him," said Dana Seabaugh.

Becky had no real plans to see friends at the Show Me Center, but said, "I usually meet up with someone."

cpagono@semissiourian.com

335-6611, extension 133