Published: December 03, 2008 09:30 am         

Santo tournament to tip-off Thursday

High school basketball action will return to Palo Pinto County in full force beginning Thursday when teams from throughout the area tip-off in the annual Santo Invitational Basketball Tournament.

In all, 16 teams, including the Santo and Millsap squads, will be competing in the three-day event.

The Millsap Lady Bulldogs will open the tournament on Thursday morning, beginning at 9 a.m., with a matchup against the Lingleville Lady Cardinals.

The Lady Bulldogs, led by the impressive play of Ashton Waters, Emily Boetz and Ashleigh Edwards, will be seeking their second tournament win of the year. Millsap won the girls’ division of the Graford PK Lake Invitational two weeks ago.

The Santo Lady ‘Cats are scheduled to take to the court starting at noon with a game against Huckabay.

The Graford Lady Jackrabbits, fresh off a third-place finish in their tournament, will close out the girls’ first round with a 6 p.m. clash with Bellvue.

The Millsap High School boys kick off the boys’ action at 10:30 a.m. with a bout against Lingleville.

The Santo Wildcats are scheduled to face off with Jacksboro beginning at 1:30 p.m., while the Graford Jackrabbits will meet Bellvue at 7:30 p.m.

The championship games of the Santo tournament are set for Saturday, with the girls’ finals beginning at 6 p.m. and the boys’ title bout beginning at 7:30 p.m.