By Shawn White

The 2024 edition of the Minden Holiday Classic is getting ready to be released next week.   The tournament will begin next week on Wednesday at three different locations at Webster Junior High, Minden Rec Center, and Minden High School.   

The Classic will boast two current No. 1 ranked teams participating.   The defending Division IV Non-Select state champion and defending Minden Holiday Classic champ Arcadia Lady Hornets (8-1) will compete.   Also, the No. 1 ranked Class C boys team Gibsland-Coleman Bulldogs (7-3).  The Bulldogs just claimed the Bienville Parish Tournament title in Saline last weekend.  

The tourney will also feature three other currently top 10 ranked teams.  No. 5-ranked  Gibsland-Coleman Lady Bulldogs (7-5) will battle over next week.  The No. 3-ranked Lincoln Prep Panthers (4-1) will start on Wednesday night against Gibsland-Coleman.  No. 8-ranked undefeated host team Minden (8-0) will try to take the title next week.   They could run into the only out of state opponent Camden, AR in a rematch of the Lakeside Tournament finals.   

The schedule for the first round of the tournament will be as follows:

Wednesday, December 18

Minden Rec Center

4:00  –  Mansfield v. Homer (Girls)

5:20 –  Homer v. Northwood (Boys)

6:40  –  Lakeside v. Loyola  (Girls)

8:00  –  Lakeside v. Arcadia (Boys)

Webster Junior High

4:00 – North Caddo v. Green Oaks (Girls)

5:20 – Camden, AR v. Green Oaks (Boys)

6:40 – Camden, AR v. Gibsland-Coleman (Girls)

8:00 – Gibsland-Coleman v. Lincoln Prep (Boys)

Minden High School

4:00 – Simsboro v. Arcadia (Girls)

5:20 – Parkway v. Loyola (Boys)

6:40 – Minden v. Jonesboro-Hodge (Girls)

8:00 – Minden v. Jonesboro-Hodge (Boys)