High school basketball: Local teams to deliver at FedEx

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three area schools will take their talents to FedEx Forum for games this coming winter.

The Campbell High School boys and girls basketball teams, along with the Southland and Delta C-7 boys will dribble, pass and shoot on the Memphis Grizzlies' expansive court.

Campbell boys will play Delta C-7 at 1 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 31, while North Pemiscot and Campbell girls square off at 2:30 p.m.

On Friday, Jan. 12, 2023, Southland and North Pemiscot play at 1 p.m. — the only scholastic game scheduled that day.

First-year Southland head boys coach Tyre Washington said it will be a “community event,” with most everyone from Arbyrd and Cardwell attending the games.

“Parents, players, coaches, administration and fans will go down there together,” Washington said. “We'll eat together, and then sit down watch an NBA games.”

Washington said, for many boys, this will be their first chance to see an NBA game (Memphis plays host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 12).

“I like seeing the looks on the kids faces when the fireworks go off, and the players are announced,” Washington said. “I like seeing the kids enjoy it. That makes this worth it.”

The schools are participating in a ticket program called “Play Like The Pros” through the Grizzlies.

Each team must sell a certain number of tickets.

However, Washington reported the schools are responsible for finding their own officials, clock operators and scorebook keepers.

This will mark Washington's third experience, which includes when Ridgefield Christian defeated Rivercrest (Wilson, Ark.) in a 2021-22 contest. Last year, Holcomb defeated Southland.

Making the game between Southland and North Pemiscot all the more dramatic is that it will be a Tri-County Conference clash.

For Campbell head girls basketball coach Laura Foster, playing at FedEx Forum may be a big enough draw for girls to report out for basketball in November.

“I think it's an awesome opportunity for us to see basketball on another level,” Foster said, “and feel important.”

For Campbell's boys team, this will be its first game at FedEx Forum since a December 2015 contest versus Neelyville.

“I'm excited,” Campbell head boys coach/athletic director Steve Fowler said, “to go play in front of our fans on a bigger floor. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

First-year Delta C-7 head coach Chris Dye is looking forward to matching court wits with Fowler — in a first-ever experience for the Chargers and school district.

“As soon as I graduated high school, (Coach) Fowler let me come into practices and observe and help,” Dye said. “I think it's going to be a great story that I got the chance to take Delta C-7 to Memphis and play against one of my coaching idols.”

Washington noted teams will play with a couple of NBA rules, including that three-pointers only will count from beyond that arc. The 3-point line is 22-feet from the corners and 23-feet, 9-inches elsewhere. The lane on an NBA court also is dramatically larger.

Memphis will play Sacramento on Dec. 31.

Both the Kings and Clippers are currently vying for NBA all-star James Harden in a possible trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, which could add luster to the Grizzlies' home games those days.

FedEx Forum seats 17,794 for basketball games, also the home of the NCAA Division I men's basketball program at the University of Memphis. The facility has been used for ice hockey games, concerts, family shows and professional wrestling.

For more information on the Grizzles' ticket program, call Ariel Brewer at 1-901-205-1469.