2019 King Cotton Holiday Classic field is set
On Thursday, Go Forward Pine Bluff (GFPB) announced 2019 teams for the King Cotton Holiday Classic, a high school basketball tournament sponsored by Simmons Bank that draws nationally recognized teams and players to Pine Bluff. GFPB CEO Ryan Watley announced the 12-team lineup during a press conference at Simmons Bank’s Pine Bluff headquarters.
“With the help of dedicated volunteers, we have successfully revived one of the premier high school tournaments in the country,” said Watley. “We look forward to building on last year’s success, and we are excited about the quality of basketball that will once again be played in the arena.”
King Cotton’s reputation for star talent extends to its earliest days – the tournament garnered national attention, including a televised ESPN segment in the 1980s.
Daniel Robinson, Simmons Bank’s Pine Bluff community president, remembers the tournament from his childhood. “The King Cotton Holiday Classic has brought our Pine Bluff community together for decades,” said Robinson. “The shared memories and sense of pride this event holds for Pine Bluff citizens run deep, and Simmons is honored to be part of that.”
The tournament will be held Dec. 27-30 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The Convention Center, which underwent significant renovations in 2018 when the tournament was reinstated, boasts a new video scoreboard, fresh paint and a new exterior marquee, in addition to renovated restrooms, dressing rooms and concession stands.
2019 KING COTTON HOLIDAY CLASSIC TEAMS
Centennial High School (National Division) – Corona, California
Ranked #12 in California, #64 nationally
NSU University School (National Division) – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2019, 2018 5A state champions
Ranked #8 nationally
Coached by Little Rock, Arkansas native Ron Oliver
Wooddale High School (National Division) – Memphis, Tennessee
2019 Class 2A state champions
Ranked #4 in Tennessee, with player Johnathan Lawson (class of 2021) ranked #43 Nationally
Bryant High School (National Division) – Bryant, Arkansas
2019 7A state runner-up
Ranked #2 in Arkansas
Raymond High School (National Division) – Raymond, Mississippi
2019, 2018, 2017 4A state champions
Ranked #3 in Mississippi
Parkview Magnet High School (National Division) – Little Rock, Arkansas
2016 6A state champions
Coached by Arkansas Razorbacks legend Scotty Thurman
Orr Academy High School (National Division) – Chicago, Illinois
2019, 2018, 2017 2A state champions
Ranked #5 in Illinois
Jacksonville High School (National Division) – Jacksonville, Arkansas
2018 King Cotton runner-up
Player Devonte Davis ranked #78 nationally
Pine Bluff High School (Regional Division) – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
2015 6A state champions
Host team
Yazoo County High School (Regional Division) – Yazoo, Mississippi
2019 3A runner-up
30 consecutive wins (30-1) in 2018-2019 season
Hightower High School (Regional Division) – Missouri City, Texas
Player Bryce Griggs received scholarship offer from Texas A&M University as eighth grader, considered top tenth grade guard in Texas
Dollarway High School (Regional Division) – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
2013 4A state championship runner-up
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