This Saturday, Lincoln Middle School will host the New Year’s Shootout, a middle school basketball one-day event that serves as an annual unofficial kickoff for Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) teams before the start of the district season.
“This event may provide the only opportunity for the Gainesville community at large to see the ACPS boys and girls teams play as regularly scheduled district games take place during the week in the late afternoon/early evening when many are still working or in transit from work,” said Lincoln Middle School basketball coach Donald Johnson. “It initiates new coaches and players to middle school basketball and gives the first spark for championship aspirations.”
Johnson said that with the holiday event season in full swing for prep basketball, middle school is working to help prepare these future high school student-athletes for the next level while creating an event of their own for family and friends.
“The crowds are large and the excitement is high,” he said. “It’s an atmosphere some teams may not participate in or witness all season long.”
This year’s field includes P.K. Yonge, Hawthorne, The Rock, Howard Bishop, Kanapaha, Lincoln, and Westwood, among others.
“We’ve had a great response again this year and fielded most of the ACPS teams including five schools who have both boys and girls teams participating,” Johnson said. “Howard Bishop boys are returning several players and are poised to have a strong season with title hopes in mind, so all eyes will be on them.”
The Lincoln boys are coming off a down year after one of the most competitive field of teams last season. However, prior to last season, they won four district titles in six years.
They are seeking a return to title contention.
“The Kanapaha girls are looking to defend their district title from last season and will get another early season test in Lake City after losing in the championship of the Holiday Classic a couple weeks ago to a strong Lakeside team,” Johnson said. “It’s also exciting to have The Rock School boys and both P.K. Yonge boys and girls teams participate, adding a bit more local flair to the event.”
The Holiday Classic middle school basketball tournament takes place every December. This year’s event was from Dec. 15-16 at Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville High School and Buchholz High School.
The event fielded 16 boys teams and eight girls teams including the following schools: Bell, Bradford, Fort Clarke, Hawthorne, Howard Bishop, Kanapaha, Lakeside, Lincoln, Oak View, Orange Park, Palatka, P.K. Yonge, The Rock, and Westwood.
Each year non-district and non-county schools participate in the New Year’s Shootout, such as Williston, High Springs and Lake City.
A total of 11 boys teams and nine girls teams will participate in this weekend’s event. The action begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Girls/Boys Basketball Game Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 6 (at Lincoln Middle School)
9 a.m. (Boys) – P.K. Yonge (away) vs. High Springs (home)
10 a.m. (Girls) – P.K. Yonge (away) vs. Lincoln (home)
11 a.m. (Boys) – Fort Clarke (away) vs. Kanapaha (home)
Noon (Girls) – Fort Clarke (away) vs. Westwood (home)
1 p.m. (Boys) – Fort Clarke (away) vs. High Springs (home)
2 p.m. (Girls) – Oak View (away) vs. Lincoln (home)
3 p.m. (Girls) – Lake City (away) vs. Kanapaha (home)
4 p.m. (Boys) – The Rock (away) vs. Hawthorne (home)
5 p.m. (Boys) – Lake City (away) vs. Westwood (home)
6 p.m. (Girls) – Williston (away) vs. Howard Bishop (home)
7 p.m. (Boys) – Lakeside (away) vs. Lincoln (home)
8 p.m. (Boys) – The Rock (away) vs. Howard Bishop (home)