By JOSH EZZELL

It started in 1974.

That year a tournament started in Murfreesboro to give middle schools across the state a chance to compete in a tournament against top-notch schools.

No one was sure how it would go.

Now it's 2007. What's known as the James C. Haile Tournament, as it was named that in 1984, has grown by leaps and bounds.

Last season 67 teams, a tournament record, competed in the annual tournament at Middle Tennessee Christian School, and this year 64 teams participated in the state's oldest junior high basketball tournament.

The tournament follows TSSAA rules, and there are three divisions — Class A, AA, AAA. The teams with the best record are invited to compete in the single-elimination tournament.

"It's a place where small schools compete in a large-school environment," MTCS boys basketball coach Jim Martin said. "We take a lot of pride in the way the tournament is run. We want people to be pleased with the tournament."

MTCS hasn't disappointed the participants.

"The competition is good," McFadden boys and girls basketball coach Ken Nolan said. "I enjoy it. The tournament's run well. (MTCS) does a good job."

While the tournament is something everyone enjoys, for MTCS it's also a way to make money. Each team pays $80 to compete, but if two teams from one school participate the fee is $150. Plus, MTCS gets money for concession purchases and gets to keep the gate.

"It's our biggest fundraiser," said MTCS athletic director Dan Wilkerson, who's also the tournament director. "It's our biggest fundraiser. This helps support (minor sports)."

With so many teams competing organizing the tournament can be interesting.

"It's hard for us to expand," Wilkerson said. "We're toying with the idea of consolation games."
But there are some advantages of the tournament format.

"It lends itself to a state tournament atmosphere," Wilkerson said. "One of the advantages is it helps get our name out there."

MTCS has certainly established a reputation for putting on a quality tournament.

"Once you get a good product out there tradition takes over," Martin said. "It's a lot of fun."

It's also a successful tournament in which teams will always participate.