The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY TO
 BE STAGED IN MONT TGOMERY
Only Twelve Teams Will ! Play For State High School
 Championship This eYar

According to announcement made saturday by Prof. W. J. Baird, pres- ident of the Alabama High School Athletic association. the annual state championship basketball tournament will be held in Montgomery on March 7tand this year. This is the sec- ond year that the tourney has been staged in the, Capital City, having been held in Birmingham previous to that time. ;.7 F;
 Tho plans for the tournament this ysar has been mapped out completely An efficient manner of handling the uyouts and tourney has resulted. .
 This year instead of the teams sen{ ' from various parts of the state at random by high schools . definite :.ss system !, hss ss been ss worked out tnd In diocre ability. playing three or four days for the state title only i2 teams will meet in Montgomery in March for the crown. V
 By. .ths. provisions Of the scheme detailed. by the officials, two teams from, each of the six districts, into which the state has been divided by sent to Montgomery. Elimination tournaments will be held in each dis. trict on dates set by the district board. The matter of choosing the two. outstanding district teams Is left entirely to the local board and should they decide upon any other manner than playing for the honor that will also be permissible. In the case of elimination tournaments the winner and runner-up will make the trip to the capital. -.
 North Central Strong. @f- <2 For the North Central district. of which Jefferson county composes a major part, the elimination tourna- nent will be staged at the Birming- ham Young Mems Christian associa- tion on February 14 and 15, accord ing to announcement by Professor Baird. The date of the tournament was set so early in the. season in or der not to conflict with, the Cotton held in Auburn on February 22 and g and in which only state associa- ton teams will be allowed to com petes
 Considerable interest is created all over the state in the annual tourney and this year 1t shows promise of being the best ever, staged. With many recent entrants in the associa- tion, namely, Anniston> High .. and other outstanding prep schools, the competition will be keen for the cup. !. Then the race will allow more than the mere trip to Montgomery, as six district titles will also be at stake so even if team failed to come out on top at the state tournament it could at least claim district title. In the North Central district alone there are AZ teams which will com pete for honors and it appears that here the scrap will wage hottest for honers. With a victory over all it's opponents the winner and the run ner-up in the North Central district will go to the state meet a slight fa- , vorite to cop premier honors.
 Last years champions, the Simpson School Purple Tornado, Is included in this district and other strong teams are Alliance, Warrior, Leedsss Besse- mer And a number of othc- hat will be playing great ball as the sea son swings into full force.
 The favored teams of the larger t. district will have no bed ef> roses. however. in its march toward the goal, for Sidney -Lanier. Greenville. Barton, Spring Hill. Dothan and many other strong teams will be in the race.
 : Indications are that 1924 will be a great year for high school basketball and with an efficient method Of de- terf1ining the state champions there seems little doubt that there will be aetitle dispute.