It is the best time of the year for basketball

It is basketball tournament time. It is one of my favorite times of the year because of the excitement the high school and college basketball tournaments bring.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

The 13th Regional Tournament is underway this week at the Corbin Arena. This is a great place for the tournament. Of course it is just a few minutes drive from my home, but if the arena was in, say Harlan or Middlesboro, I would still feel the same about holding the tournament at a neutral site and in a location like this.

I go way back in following the 13th Region games. My first tournament to attend was about 70 years ago. It was held at Bell County High School. My brother-in-law, Eddie Steele, and sister, Wanda, took me to the game.

It was 1952 and the great Jerry Bird led Corbin to the championship. What a thrill it was for me.

On the ride home one of my favorite players and person, C.D. Vermillion, rode in the back seat with me. That was the beginning of a long friendship with him. Before his health turned he would come by our office for a chat now and then. A great guy!

But when I say Vermillion, how could one family have so many likeable children. None will ever top the loveable Princess Vermillion McBurney. Of course you know Princess ran the Youth Center for many years and she was like a mother to many of us.

The others I knew were Jack “Bat” Vermillion, who was our police chief. The beautiful Barbara who married one of the greatest persons ever, Tommy Adkins. Tommy was a star football player for the Kentucky Wildcats. And of course Dick Vermillion.

A book should be written about Dick. He was one of the most likeable persons you would ever meet. He ran for and won about every public office there was, including the mayor of Corbin.

I was with Dick the night before he died. We had the best time at an old timers class reunion. The next night while addressing the audience he had a heart attack and died.

But I digress. Back to the tournaments, I broadcast all the 13th Region games over a network of stations for 30 years.

Here is an example of why the Arena is such a good place to hold the tournament. Number one is the parking and also number one are the comfortable seats and plenty of room for all who attend.

I remember one year when the tournament was held in Cumberland. The gym was small and only one game could be held each night. For the entire week I had to make that trip to Cumberland every night.

As if the drive wasn’t bad enough, it snowed and I had to take the Straight Creek road out of Pineville to get there.

After I quit broadcasting I still attended the tournaments. The waiting in the cold and rain while the gym cleared out for a second game and the hot and sweaty gyms were a price to pay to see the games.

Three years ago the media group of the 13th Region gave me a “Lifetime Achievement Award.” I appreciated that and quite frankly I feel I like I earned it because of the many years of being a part of the games.

I probably could write a book on the many happenings of my 30 years in broadcasting in the 13th Region. I got to know a lot of wonderful people and had a lot of fun.

So, enjoy the tournament. It is happening this week and next at the Corbin Arena.