By Audrey McClour

The annual Wampus Cat Classic basketball tournament will take place on January 18th through the 20th. There are a total of 8 teams in the tournament: Atoka, Idabel, Eufaula, Pauls Valley, Kingston, Latta, Lone Grove, and Madill. When asked about the benefits of hosting a tournament, Coach Ray shared that not having to travel for games and bringing in money for our athletics program are both huge pluses. Tournaments also help our school by bringing a sense of pride and letting the community see what our athletes have to offer.

When it comes to making the Classic possible, there are many staff and community volunteers. Parents, fans, and staff cook a plethora of food for the hospitality room. This room is reserved for coaches and officials to watch the game and take a quick food break. Teachers keep score and run the clock for games, and a variety of staff members run the concession stand and the door, with the help of student volunteers. Once everything is said and done, it’s the staff that cleans up at the end of each busy night. The Wampus Cat Classic truly would not be possible without the help of our amazing staff and community. Make sure you come out and support our Atoka Wampus Cats in the Wampus Cat Classic!