MERCS
March 5th, 6th & 7th 2015
Welcome to all the fans, players and coaches of the 2015 MERCS basketball tournament. I would like to express my appreciation to all the schools taking part in what is the 22nd regional tournament featuring teams from the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is my hope that during this weekends’ games we will all remember that ou
r Christian young people are competing during an exciting time in their high school lives and that we will, as fans, conduct ourselves accordingly. Please remember to cheer for your teams and not against the opponents, not to criticize the officials, or make distracting noises during an opponent’s foul shot. We will again be posting the game by game stats at the end of the Gym next to the locker rooms. This year’s program has been designed to be more durable. In the back you will find blank stat sheets for each team for each day. You are encouraged to use the daily stat sheets posted on the gym wall to fill in the blanks as the tournament progresses. Game times will be strictly adhered to. This may mean only 10 minutes of warm up time. Teams waiting to play the next game may use the gym floor during half time of the current game. Also, any player on the floor must be in a sneaker-type shoe—no street shoes of any kind, please. Only players should be on the floor during these times. We invite our fans to visit the concession area this weekend. All proceeds go to benefit the Granite Sports Program. We will be providing an excellent menu and cheerful service. Food and drink may be consumed in the gym. We do ask however that our spectators use one of the many trash cans around the gym to dispose of empty cans, paper plates and wrappers. Restrooms are available down the hall from the admissions desk. Only team members playing the current game or waiting to play the next game may enter the locker rooms. I want to remind all spectators that, except for the teams’ players, coaching personnel and bus/van drivers the admission price is $3 per adult, $2 per student with a $15 maximum charge per family. A family is defined as one or both parents and their school-age children. This fee is paid per day. Each year some fans express surprise that a fee is charged at all. Keep in mind that the cost of hosting a tournament like this will approach $5,200 this year. The cost for officials and trophies continue to rise but the tournament gate prices have not risen in 22 years. Couple that with the fact that for your price of admission you get to watch up to 8 games that day, and you will agree that it is still a good bargain. We are praying that the Lord gives us a great tournament. If there is anything I can help you with, please feel free to contact me at anytime during the tournament. Coach Conley
Tournament Director
