The seed meeting would have come and gone.
The chair back seats would have already been sold.
Plans to meet old friends would have been made.
The Eldorado Holiday Tournament would have been getting ready to tip off, instead, due to COVID-19, the annual post Christmas event in its 56th year has been postponed.
Instead of what would have been, we look back at in five-part series, starting with your favorite EHT memory as discussed among former players, coaches and some former players that are now coaches.
On Friday, we'll have a conversation about the most impressive player in the EHT.
Positive: Coaching on the championship final four night (twice) with standing room only! Great atmosphere for a high school game!
Most embarrassing: My sophomore year Coach Reed yelled "Miller." So I took off my warm up pants and shooting shirt and sprinted down to him ready to go in and he says: "I wanted you to scoot down and give the coaches more room up here!" So I picked my stuff up and went and sat back down.
-- Doug Miller, Hamilton County coach (former NCOE, Gallatin Co. coach) & former HCHS player
Easily my greatest memory is beating our schools biggest rival Harrisburg to win Eldorado's first ever back to back EHT Championships. The atmosphere that night was crazy. 5000 fans cheering and booing, it was everything a kid who loves basketball in Eldorado dreams of. To be able to share that moment with the incredible group of kids we had is something I will always cherish.
-- Josh Bradley, Eldorado head coach and former EHS player
Junior year at Benton we played #1 Seed Eldorado in the 2nd round. It was the 7:00 game so it was packed. Not many people had us advancing after a lackluster start to the season, but we pulled out a win and was one of the most fun locker room celebrations I have been part of.
OR - The look on coach Chamness face when he gets the 8 a.m. Day 1 morning game!
-- Sayler Shurtz, Herrin head coach and former Benton player
My greatest memory in the EHT playing was just being able to compete in that tournament every year after Christmas. It became a tradition. While coaching I would say in 2017 when Harrisburg beat us by 2 in the semifinals. We were so close to making a championship game and ended up getting 3rd.
-- Mike Chamness, Anna-Jonesboro head coach and former A-J player
A selfish one, being named the 1985 MVP even though we were beaten pretty bad by a great Carmi team.
-- Erik Griffin, former Carrier Mills-Stonefort & SIU player
Our run to the championship game my Sophomore year. As a kid I dreamed of being on that floor during EHT. To have it come true and play in front of a packed house for several games was surreal
-- Scott Shreffler, former Carrier Mills-Stonefort player
Our four consecutive championships and the enjoyment off playing in 14 championship games. It's one of the great atmosphere that you have in southern Illinois high school basketball
-- Randy Smithpeters, Harrisburg coach & former McLeansboro player
Winning the EHT. Been lucky to do it 2x
-- Scott McElravy, Fairfield head coach
My greatest EHT memory is winning the EHT championship and MVP. This was Coach Hosman's first year back to the EHT so it meant a lot to him and myself. A homecoming with some butt kicking included.
-- John Pruett, Former Massac County player & 1993 EHT MVP
Watching my brother finally do something better than me and winning the EHT his senior year in 2010 (I think) which may of been Randy's 1st title.
-- Jake Stewart, Harrisburg girls coach & former HHS player
WHAT THEY SAID: ONLINE
There are so many memories for the tourney! My favorite are when the Eldorado Eagles won! My friends that come through the tunnel. Helping all the teams and coaches. I am thankful to be a part of the EHT! I will sure miss it this year!
--Lori Quigley, Eldorado
Last years championship game Massac vs Fairfield. I might be a little biased, but honestly one of the best back and forth high school championship games I have watched. Both teams did a great job and great group of young men on both teams.
-- Jamie Mizell Metropolis, Massac Co.
My memory is watching my dad officiate in Duff Kingston gymnasium and sitting with him watching games in the unbelievable atmosphere there always is! It became a tradition, that at the time, I didn't realize would one day mean so much to me! I also have loved running into friends there that have become family over the years!
-- Ashlea Grumley, Marion
Harrisburg's 4 straight titles! Scott Shreffler's 3/4 court buzzer beater for Carrier Mills! Calling the Harrisburg vs Eldorado championship game in 2017, in front of a monstrous crowd! The sadness of the 77 tournament after losing Duff and Kingston in the UE plane crash.
-- Sherman Owen, Harrisburg
