State tourney set to begin at MERE

By Dustin Kent

Published: July 17, 2008

The Dixie Boys and Dixie Junior Boys state tournaments begin Saturday at the MERE complex with 16 teams from the 13U and 14U age groups competing for a state crown.

The games begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, with Central Sports and West Seminole facing off on Field One in the Junior Boys opener.

Marianna Recreation Director Clay Wells said he expected a great tournament.

“We’re extremely excited about having the Dixie Boys tournament in Marianna and we look forward to having them,” he said. “We’ve worked hard, my staff and a bunch of volunteers, on getting the tournament together. We look forward to hosting all of the teams in Marianna.”

West Jackson and Okeechobee kick off Dixie Boys action on Field Two at 9 a.m., with Bartow v. Vernon to follow at 12 p.m.

The noon Junior Boys game will be between Hiland Park and West Volusia on Field One, with Spring Hill and Poinciana following at 4 p.m., also on Field One.

For Dixie Boys, Chipley and Spring Hill face off at 4 p.m. on Field Two.

Okeechobee and Marianna round out Junior Boys action for Saturday at 4 p.m. on Field Five.

The two late games belong to the Dixie Boys, with Paxton and Messer Park playing on Field One and West Volusia playing Marianna on Field Two.

Both games start at 7 p.m.

If Marianna Junior Boys defeat Okeechobee, they will take on the winner of Spring Hill and Poinciana Sunday at 7 p.m. on Field One.

If they lose, they’ll fall into the loser’s bracket against the loser of that game at 4 p.m., Sunday.

If the Marianna Dixie Boys defeat West Volusia, they’ll take on the winner of Messer Park and Paxton Sunday at 7 p.m.

A loss and Marianna will take on the loser of that game at 4 p.m., Sunday.

There will be a banquet for the players, coaches and parents tonight at the Marianna High School gym at 6 p.m., with opening ceremonies for the tournament at the MERE Complex starting at 8 p.m.

“I’d like to encourage as many people to come out and watch as can,” Wells said. “We’d like to have a big crowd out here to watch these kids.”