Northwest Georgia Christmas Tournament Prevails Over Potential Cancelation

The Northwest Georgia Christmas basketball tournament has come and gone once again. Even in an unpredictable year like 2020, the iconic regional holiday tournament prevailed over potential cancelation.

Although the tournament was held in Armuchee’s new and main gyms at 25% of the maximum capacity, fans continued to show up and safely pack the gym each night while socially distanced to take in the area’s best teams.

On the boys’ side of the competition, the Chattooga Indians hoisted the Gold Ball trophy after the four-day event. In their semifinal game against the Rome Wolves, the Indians squeaked out a comeback win by a score of 52-50 to set up a showdown for the championship against the Darlington Tigers.

Thanks in part to that semifinal, the Indians were well prepared for a title game that could, and did, come down to the wire.

Headed to the final quarter leading by three, Indians point guard Damien Smith scored 8 points to complement sharpshooter Cash Allen and secure a 55-51 victory over the Tigers.

The win secured the first Gold Ball trophy for Chattooga since 1986.

“No matter how big the school is, no matter if they’re public or private – when the Gold Ball is in your hands, you get to claim to be the best team in the area,” said Indians head coach Jared Groce to Northwest Georgia News.

For the girls’ half of the event, the Rome Lady Wolves secured the Gold Ball trophy as an early Christmas present with a 54-33 win over the Darlington Lady Tigers.

Rome captured their 12th overall tournament title, their second since 2017, and avenged last year’s championship loss to Darlington.

The defending Christmas tournament champions were held in check by the Lady Wolves all night, although the score was a close one of 11-10 Wolves at the end of the first quarter.

The Lady Wolves began to pull away in the second quarter as Ta’Emmica Nation heated up behind the arc and contributed to a 17-point frame before the half.

After halftime, Rome continued to pull away until the Gold Ball was once again in their possession.

“For us to come away with the Gold Ball means we did something good, and we’re growing from it,” said Rome head coach Jason Harris. “We’re just excited to be able to come out here and showcase our talent and bring a Gold Ball back to Rome.”

This year’s local recipient of the tournament proceeds was the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia.

While official fundraising numbers have not yet been released, the tournament, hosted by the Rome News Tribune and Seven Hills Rotary Club, averages $50,000 in proceeds each year, according to the Rotary Club.

Written by: Reagan Cofield