55th EHT Preview: Run It Back

To quote the great philosopher and rapper, Nelly: What does it take to be No. 1?

Since 2012, the No. 1 seed at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament has not hoisted the championship trophy just two times.

Meridian, who was the No. 1 seed in the 2013 EHT was upended by Harrisburg in the title game and in 2016, Herrin had the No. 1 seed and was knocked off by Eldorado in the championship game.

Fairfield, who had the No. 1 seed last season and went on to win the title and will look to become back-to-back champions as they come in No. 1 this year.

Head coach Scott McElravy said there is definitely more of a mark on his team's back this year being repeat champs.

"I've said it before, we have to go through a lot of (River-To-River) schools on our side of the bracket with schools like West Frankfort, Herrin and Carterville. I think that's the biggest thing is just how heavy the top side is."

Fairfield's only other EHT championship was in 2006 and should the Mules repeat this year, they would join an illustrious class that includes, Eldorado (2016-2017), Cairo (1978-1979), Pinckneyville (1980-1981), Carmi (1985-1986), Massac County (1995-1996) and West Frankfort (2003-2004) as schools to win the tournament in back-to-back seasons. Of course, NCOE has three straight championships (1988-90) and Harrisburg has four straight titles, spanning 2010-2013.

McElravy has navigated this ship before and said last year's success has given him a pretty good blueprint for taking on the challenge this year.

"You have the potential to play four games in three days," he said. "We are a transition team that likes to press and get up and down the floor. There is a level of managing the workload. Playing Tuesday, Friday and Saturday isn't as taxing on a team. You find yourself, trying to get guys out and playing that ninth and 10th guy a little more.

The Mules, who's only blemish on their 8-1 record is an 83-71 loss to Marshall at the Capital Classic. Fairfield has won five straight coming into the EHT and are averaging 68 points per game, while yielding 45 a contest.

Fairfield will open the EHT today against Gallatin County at 1:45 p.m. in the last game of the first session.

<b>Back For More?</b>

Of the 11 All-Tournament Team members selected each season, five return this year. Massac County's Zach Travis and Jase Mizell, along with Harrisburg's Will Gibbs, Eldorado's Aiden Whitlock and Eli Downen return this season. Downen and Whitlock are the only two juniors.

<b>New Kids On the Block</b>

Two new coaches will have their EHT initiation Thursday as Pete Gordon replaces Evan Wyllie at West Frankfort and Craig Utterback takes over for Jeff Hermann at Gallatin County.

Gordon was at Thompsonville last year and helped lead the Tigers to a 30-3 record

Gordon is a 1991 graduate of West Frankfort High School and Wyllie resigned earlier this summer to take a collegiate coaching position in Florida.

Utterback was a Gallatin County girls' basketball assistant to Tiffany Sauls last season. Utterback came to GCHS from Robinson.

<i>Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.<i/>