Scott City event gives alums a chance to compete

Rick Heuring graduated from Scott City High School before many of the players in today's alumni tournament were even born, but that won't stop the 1969 graduate from running up and down the courts with them.

Heuring and about 80 other Scott City graduates will take part in the three-day tournament, which kicks off 6 tonight at Scott City High School. Alumni from as far back as the late 1960s will compete with graduates from as recent as 2001.

For Heuring, who has played in all but one of the alumni tournaments and will likely be the oldest player this year, the event is about getting out and playing a sport he enjoys.

"I've always played basketball since I was little and on," he said. "I played on a regular basis until about 12 years ago. I've always just really enjoyed it."

The tournament, which has been going strong since 1986, gives family members and friends the opportunity to see the ex-Rams in action once again. Games will go on into Sunday afternoon, with the championship game scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"The wives have to hear us moan and groan the next day as we try to recoup," Heuring said.

The competitive side of the tournament is certainly a big factor. Current Scott City basketball coach Lance Amick and former Arkansas State guard Jon Beck will be on the team trying to defend last year's championship.

Heuring said for the older teams in the tournament some of the competitive nature of the game has been replaced by playing for fun and hoping to avoid injury.

"We've got nothing to lose; they're supposed to beat us," Heuring said of the younger teams. "The biggest problem is guys my age do it to have fun. The younger guys are still competitive; they want to win.

"I have kids who are older than the guys on the team I'll play tonight," Heuring said. "But it's OK if I can get out there and beat up on them a bit."