For the second consecutive year the bracket had to be altered in the high school boys’ basketball St. James Tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic issues.
Sixth-seeded Waynesville had to pull out last week due to quarantines. Also, eighth-seeded Salem canceled its games last week due to not having enough players healthy. Salem was to open in the 77th annual tournament Monday, Jan. 17, but will not have enough players to compete until Tuesday, Jan. 18. So, its opening-round game has been moved to Tuesday.
It is now a seven-team bracket, with top-seed Soldan getting a first-round bye. Fatima is seeded No. 2, St. James No. 3, Rolla No. 4, Sullivan No. 5, Licking No. 7, and Salem No. 8.
In the first round Monday Rolla is to play Sullivan at 6 p.m. In Tuesday’s first-round games St. James faces Licking at 6 p.m. and Fatima plays Salem at 7:30 p.m.
In consolation action Thursday, Jan. 20 the Fatima/Salem loser plays the St. James/Licking loser at 6 p.m.
In semifinal action Friday, Jan. 21 the St. James/Licking winner plays the Fatima/Salem winner at 6:30 p.m. while Soldan meets the Rolla/Sullivan winner at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 22 the consolation final is set for 3:30 p.m., the third-place game for 5 p.m. and the championship game for 6:30 p.m.
