We are looking forward to hosting the first Lutheran School State Basketball Tournament.  It should be a fun time as all five Lutheran Schools gather together for two days.  With five teams it was necessary to seed one team.  We seeded St. Stephens first in both the Boys and Girls Divisions.  None of the other teams were seeded.  The two East teams will play each other and the two West teams will play each other in the first round. The top four teams in each division will play on Sunday.  We will award trophies for 

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Places after each game on Sunday.  The All Tournament Team selections will be announced after each Championship Game.  We hope that everyone will be able to attend the “Get-together Dance” in the gym on Saturday from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm.   

Game 3            12:15   Concordia vs. Emmanuel

Game 4            1:30:     Resurrection Cary vs. St. Stephens Hickory

Game 7            12:30   3^rd Place Game             Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4

Game 9            3:00     Championship               Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4

Game 1            9:45     Concordia vs. Emmanuel Asheville

Game 2            11:00   Resurrection Cary vs. St. Johns W/S

Game 5            2:45     St. Stephens vs. Winner of Game 2

Game 6            4:00     Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2

Game 10          1:45     3^rd Place Game Loser of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6

Game 12          4:15     Championship               Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 5

Game 1            9:45     Boys    Concordia vs. Emmanuel

Game 2            11:00   Boys    Resurrection Cary vs. St. Johns

Game 3            12:15   Girls     Concordia vs. Emmanuel

Game 4            1:30     Girls     St. Stephens vs. Resurrection

Game 5            2:45     Boys    St. Stephens vs. Winner of Game 2

Game 6            4:00     Boys    Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2

Game 7            12:30   Girls 3^rd Place Game     Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4

Game 8            1:45     Boys 3^rd Place Game    Loser of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6

Game 9            3:00     Girls Championship       Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4

Game 10          4:15     Boys Championship      Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 5

Welcome to Concordia and our first North Carolina Lutheran School State Basketball Tournament.  This is the first time all five Lutheran Schools have gathered together and it is our prayer that this is the beginning of a relationship where we can bring our students together in various competitions and Christian fellowship.  Please encourage your teams to get to know players from other teams. 

On Saturday night we will have a dance in the gym for students from all of the Lutheran Schools.  The DJ we have hired is known for playing appropriate music and for getting students involved.  There will not be a cost to the dance. It is restricted to students in grades 6-8 who are attending a Lutheran School.  Parents are welcome to attend, if they wish.  We need at least one coach or school representative from each school that has students attending also the dance.  Thanks. 

A few notes:

We will be charging admission to the tournament each day.  The cost is $3 for adults (high school students and above) while children are free.  We will have a concession stand open in the cafeteria.  There are fast food restaurants in the immediate area. 

With five teams it was necessary to seed one team.  We seeded St. Stephens first in both the Boys and Girls Divisions.  None of the other teams were seeded.  The two East teams will play each other and the two West teams will play each other in the first round. The top four teams in each division will play on Sunday.    We will be giving trophies for First, Second and Third place in both Boys and Girls Divisions.  We will also be recognizing an All Tournament Team for each division.  First Place – 3; Second – 2; Third – 2; Fourth – 2; Fifth – 1 (players per team).  These awards will be handed out on Sunday after each championship game. 

Please have your teams ready to play 15 minutes before the scheduled time.  We have locker rooms assigned by the school name.  Players may use the locker rooms after the half time of the previous game to get dressed.  Please lock up your valuables.  There are marker boards in the locker rooms for coaches to use before the game and at half time.  Please bring both your home and away uniforms.  The top team is considered the home team and will wear their white uniforms. 

We will have 8 minutes to warm up before each game with a five minute half time.  We will play six minute quarters.  If the games go long and we get seriously behind schedule, we might utilize a running clock for the first four minutes of the first and second quarters.  This means the clock continues to run except for free throws and time outs.  This will be determined by the tournament director before the game and only after both coaches have been informed.   

Hotel Information:  Holiday Inn Express is just down the road.  It is a fairly new hotel with a continental breakfast.  The phone number is 828-466-6266.

Church Services:

Traditional Services at Concordia in the sanctuary: 8:00 and 10:30 (8:00 service is in the chapel and the 10:30 service is in the sanctuary and has communion.  It will probably get out about the same time as the Praise Service.)

Praise Service in the gym (praise band, video screens, very casual dress) 10:45 am – about 11:40

St. Stephens Lutheran (10-15 minutes away): Contemporary Service at 10:30, Traditional Services at 8:00 and 11:45.  They also have a Contemporary Service on Saturday night at 5:30 pm.   

Due to the expenses of referees, trophies, medals, etc. I am asking for a registration fee from each school of $50.  Please make the checks payable to Concordia Lutheran School or Concordia Boosters Club.  Thank you.   

If you have any questions or if I made a mistake in the tournament pairings, please let me know.  We are looking forward to a fun and exciting tournament together. 

God’s Blessings,

Bill Unverfehrt

Tournament Director