Throughout the holiday season -- at least in the southeast Illinois section of the state -- we would normally be packed all warm and cozy inside Duff-Kingston Gymnasium.
Trips to the concession stand are as popular as making sure you pick up your program for the Eldorado Holiday Tournament.
Some games have been blow outs, while some have left us hanging on the edge of our chair back seat.
These last few weeks, we have been looking back at some of the best from the past 56 years of the EHT. The annual basketball hoopapalooza hasn't been void of some memorable moments, teams and players.
Now, we look back in five-part series, (this being part four) with the one game that stands out in your mind as discussed among former players, coaches and some former players that are now coaches.
On Friday, we'll conclude our series by looking back at a memory or moment from the EHT that has nothing to do with being a player or a coach.
It has to be our championship game against Herrin. A few seconds left in the 4th, down by 1 and we run a play for three and Attebury hits the shot! Then a late foul and Herrin hits 2ft's to force OT. I just remember the composure of our kids once OT started, Herrin was little rattled and we may have played our best 4 minutes of basketball.
-- Josh Bradley, Eldorado head coach and former player
My first year coaching in the EHT. With 2 seconds left Carmi threw a baseline out of bounds lob pass to Bryce Northcutt and he hit a 40 footer to beat us at the buzzer. Swear it happened in slow motion. It was a gut punch. Thanks for asking, Spydie!
-- Sayler Shurtz, Herrin head coach and former Benton player
1980 Cairo-Pinckneyville title game. The 1st of 3 games between two teams loaded with great players and led by great coaches.
-- Erik Griffin, former Carrier Mills-Stonefort & SIU standout
Don't remember the specific game, but the Cairo/Pinckneyville matchups were great
-- Scott Shreffler, former Carrier Mills-Stonefort player
Tie: The 2016 Gallatin co Hawks placed 4th while not being ranked. My 2004 unranked NCOE cardinals upset the number 2 seed Benton Rangers in the first round
-- Doug Miller, Hamilton County coach (former NCOE, Gallatin Co. coach) & former HCHS player
Probably for me was our 2006 championship team where we were seeded #8 and upset favored #1 Meridian. We pulled off 3 straight upsets that year to win it. Ironically we did it again the next year to the same team. Beating Herrin like we did two years ago was pretty cool too!
-- Scott McElravy, Fairfield head coach
If it's not our championship game against Harrisburg, it is the finals that Dana Ford played in. Packed house and that place was wild.
-- John Pruett, Former Massac County player & 1993 EHT MVP
My senior year losing to Eldorado in triple OT in the semi. Gym was packed to the roof. We had a layup roll around the rim 3 times that would of won the game. It's ok though, we beat them in the regional title game at Gallatin Co a month and a half later.
-- Jake Stewart, Harrisburg girls coach & former HHS player
