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Hoop tourneys honor local legends |
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Tuesday, 09 December 2008 |
PAWTUCKET – A pair of high school basketball tournaments that honor the memory of two great city hoop coaches will begin on Thursday evening.
The 23rd Annual Dennis M. Lynch Jr. Tournament kicks off at the Boys & Girls Club’s School St. facility while Tolman High plays host to the 13th Annual James Donaldson Memorial Tournament.
Lynch played and coached at St. Raphael Academy during the 1970s and 1980s before succumbing to cancer at a young age. Donaldson coached Tolman basketball for many years. “Gentleman Jim” is still remembered by students and former players, many years after his death.
“We play this tournament to honor Jim Donaldson and to raise money for a scholarship fund in his memory,” says Tolman athletic director John Scanlon. “Every year, we give out scholarships to two kids. The scholarships are worth $16,000. The winners get $2,000 per year for four years of college.”
Tolman is the defending champion in the tournament, sort of.
“Mount St. Charles beat Tolman in the first game last year but couldn’t play in the title game,” Scanlon recalled. “Tolman took its place and won the championship game.”
This year’s field is committed to playing two games apiece. Shea High will battle Pilgrim in the 6 p.m. opener on Thursday and then Tolman will face Tiverton in the nightcap.
“We’re lucky to break even on the tournament every year,” Scanlon said. “Fortunately, we have an anonymous donor who contributes to the scholarship fund to keep things going.”
The Lynch Tournament also begins on Thursday with its championship contest set for Saturday night.
In Thursday’s 6 p.m. opener at the Boys & Girls Club’s School St. gymnasium, Providence Country Day will meet Central Falls. Defending champion St. Raphael Academy will meet Davies Tech in the nightcap.
On Saturday night, the third-place game will begin at 6 p.m. with the title contest set for start at approximately 7:45 p.m.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 December 2008 )
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