Dear Editor,

The Cocke County Elementary Basketball Tournament was held the week of February 11-16, 2013.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players, coaches and fans for an outstanding tournament.  The sportsmanship exhibited throughout the tournament was exceptional.

The tournament would not be possible without the assistance of sponsors.  I would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution to the tournament and the athletes of Cocke County:  

Subway, Krystal's, McDonald's, Kiwanis Club of Newport, Drs. Paul & Judy Webb, Newport Bargain Barn, Pizza Plus, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wal-Mart, WLIK Radio Station, Long John Silvers, County Mayor, Vaughn Moore, City of Newport, Mayor Connie Ball and City Council, Poe's Sports, Dennis Thornton, Tennessee State Bank, Food City East, Food City West, Cocke County Recreation Department, McDonalds, Arby's, Long John Silvers, Modern Woodman of America, Faye Fish, State Farm Insurance, Angela Huskey Grooms and Eric Varner, Monterey Mexican Restaurant, Farm Market, Rocky Top Grafix, Bojangles, Edgemont Elementary School, Debbie Shropshire, Capital Bank, Parrottsville Mayor, Mary Keller and Coca-Cola.

Special thanks go out to Chief of Police Maurice Shults, Newport City Police Department, Armondo Fontes, Cocke County Sheriffs Department, Newport Plain Talk, and the Newport Rescue Squad for their continued support to the athletes of Cocke County.

I would like to conclude by congratulating the winners, both individual players and the teams.  You represented your schools well and are athletes of which Cocke County can be proud.

Sincerely,

Connie Ball, CCESBA President