Indians accept invite to New York tournament

Norvert Haney and his Gaffney teammates will travel to New York for a holiday tournament. The Gaffney varsity boys' basketball team will be spending the holidays out of town once again next season.

The Indians, whose run of three straight state championships was snapped last season, has accepted an invitation to play in the Coaches Against DWI Tournament in Binghamton, N.Y., Gaffney coach Mark Huff said.

Gaffney has traveled to Winston Salem, N.C., the last two holiday seasons to play in the Frank Spencer Memorial Tournament.

Three years ago, the Indians were invited to the prestigious Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach.

Huff said his team's participation in the Frank Spencer tournament led to an invitation to the Coaches Against DWI Tournament.

"Two years ago the coach of the team we played from New York knew a guy who ran this tournament," the Gaffney coach said.

The tournament is slated for Dec. 27-29. The Indians will play at least three games in the 8-team tournament.

"It's a good tournament and it's a chance to play teams that we have never seen before," he said.

The field includes national teams as well as teams from the Binghamton area, according to Huff.

The tournament organizers pay a portion of the travel costs and the meals. Huff said the team plans to participate in fund-raising events to pay for the remainder of the expenses.

"It's a good opportunity for the kids to go to New York," he said. "How often do you have a chance to do something like that?"

The Indians, who return five players off last season's squad that qualified for the state playoffs, will begin their summer program next month.