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Zaxby’s Basketball Classic at Mississippi College Benefits Salvation Army


Mississippi College Lady Choctaws players Cara Beverin of Biloxi, Mackayla Dykes of Franklinton, La., Shuntequa Lofton of Forest and Carey Crozier of Brookhaven sit in the back row minutes before an early November practice at the A.E. Wood Coliseum Alexis Stirgus of Vicksburg is seated in the front row. MC opens its 2013-14 season at the Zaxby's hoops tournament Nov. 22-23 on the Clinton campus to benefit the Salvation Army.

Mississippi College’s Lady Choctaws and three other teams are invited to the Zaxby’s basketball tournament to benefit the Salvation Army.

At Zaxby’s Charity Tip-Off, MC, Rust College, LaGrange College and Centenary will square off for November 22-23 for a good cause.

MC student organizations, including clubs and tribes, will collect buckets of money with prizes going to the winners with the most cash.

Zaxby’s mascot will make the rounds taking pictures with fans at the A.E. Wood Coliseum and help promote the charitable event.

Last year’s hoops tournament on the Clinton campus was part of the national Coaches vs Cancer competition, but this year the Salvation Army will be the charity spotlighted.

Mississippi College students are eager to play a bigger role this year.

“All clubs and tribes will be in attendance for the festivities Friday and Saturday nights,” says MC sophomore Kaitlin McCarty of Flowood. “Clubs and tribes are happy to help in supporting the basketball team, MC athletics and the Salvation Army.”

Whether it’s the Angel Tree program serving families during the Christmas holidays, responding to communities when tornadoes strike or providing shelter for the homeless, the Salvation Army reaches millions of people with big needs across the USA and other countries.

Janet Spears, director of development with the Salvation Army in metro Jackson, met recently with MC Athletic Director Mike Jones, Lady Choctaws head basketball coach Paul Duke, assistant coaches, university sports information director David Nichols and Zaxby’s representatives to plan the tournament. Tickets cost $5.

The games at the Golden Dome, she said, will be a good way to sign up Salvation Army bell ringers for the holiday season through late December. Spears is working with Jackson TV stations and area radio stations, including STAR 93.5 on the Clinton campus, to showcase the tournament.

The hoops games begin Friday Nov. 22 when Centenary of Louisiana faces Rust College of Holly Springs at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Choctaws take on LaGrange that evening at 7:30 p.m. to start Duke’s 19th season as the MC team’s coach.

On Saturday Nov. 23, Centenary battles LaGrange at 1 p.m. followed by the MC-Rust contest at 3 p.m.

For more information, contact sports information director David Nichols at 601.925.3234.