John Paul Vandercook Sr.
March 8, 2013LSU, NSU focused on postseason
March 12, 2013
When the final ball was bounced and the last shot was taken, Opelousas emerged this week as the 8-year-old Biddy World Champion.
But the biggest winner in the week of basketball was arguably the city of Thibodaux.
For the 17th-straight year, the city hosted a heck of an event.
Coaches and officials touted that the annual event is among the best Biddy Basketball tournaments in the world because of the event’s volunteers and the city’s support for Biddy Basketball.
“This is a great place – that’s why we’re back,” said Biddy Basketball National Director Firmin Simms. “The people here do a great job and for these little youngsters here, it’s the perfect setup and a beautiful place to have a wonderful event to showcase these kids.”
Simms said the biggest reason why the Thibodaux event is an annual success is because of the people who organize the week’s festivities.
Local chiropractor Dr. Mickey Jennings has served as the tournament director for 12 years.
Simms said he is a class act and a huge asset to Biddy Basketball.
“Mickey does a great job here,” Simms said. “We have Biddy tournaments all over the place, but this Thibodaux one is always one of the best and it’s because there are so many great people willing to help out and volunteer.”
Jennings said he is appreciative of Simms’ praise, but none of the event’s success would be possible without the work of countless volunteers and staff who help the event flow without a hitch.
“You can really attribute this to the parents that help us put the event on,” Jennings said. “We’re very, very blessed every year to have a great group of parents, volunteers and other leaders in the community who do just a great job for us.”
Away from the volunteerism of the city’s people, Simms and Jennings agree that the Thibodaux event also has an advantage because of the Harang Auditorium.
The multi-purpose facility is the “perfect fit” for the weeklong event, according to the tournament director.
“The Harang Auditorium is what really adds to this being a great event and a great tournament,” Jennings said. “You see these little kids walk into the big arena and they are just absolutely overwhelmed by the big floor and the seats surrounding the building. It’s fun to see the kids adjust to the enormity of the arena.”
“Their eyes get big and they light up like they are in the NBA,” Simms said with a laugh. “One of the best things about it is seeing these kids walk onto that gym floor for the first time and seeing how amazed they are. For a lot of them, they are falling in love with basketball at that moment.”
In addition to the Harang Auditorium, several Thibodaux businesses see a boost because of Biddy.
This year’s field featured only Louisiana-based teams – a contrast from years past where teams came from across the country to compete in the event.
But even with the local flavor, many teams stayed in the hotels that surround the Harang Auditorium.
The event’s champion Opelousas stayed in the city for the entire week.
Even for those who didn’t stay and commuted each day, they still ate and shopped in the surrounding businesses and restaurants.
“The hotels benefit. The restaurants benefit. All of the gas stations – they benefit, too,” Jennings said. “All of our local stores in the area probably have a few extra customers. I’m sure Walmart is getting some business out of this, as well. It’s a great event for the entire community.”
“The people here treat everybody just so good,” Simms added. “It’s the perfect setup for us. You don’t have to go too far to get food. If you want a hotel, there are two or three nice hotels literally right around the corner. For us, we can’t ask for anything better, really.”
So with this week’s event complete and 17 years under their belts, the 2014 Biddy World Tournament is already on many people’s minds.
While nothing official has been announced, expect the event to return to the Tri-parish area.
“It’ll be back again for another year,” Jennings said. “We’re going to be back and better than ever.”
“We’ll be back next year,” Simms agreed. “We’ll be back. Lord willing, of course. But we’ll be back.”
The city of Thibodaux was the big winner of this week’s U8 Biddy World Tournament, which took place in the Harang Auditorium. The tournament’s organizers said that the work of volunteers is what makes the area special. Opelousas won the week-long event and emerged as the world champion.
