LAKEVILLE, IN. - It has been a special tournament for over 50 years. During that time, the Teachers Credit Union Bi-County Basketball Tournament has seen players and coaches come and go. And, as the 58th annual TCU Bi-County Basketball Tournament gets set to tip off this week, there are several coaches that roam the sidelines. The same sidelines and gymnasiums that found them a part of during the prestigious tournament. Nicholas Amor was a player for LaVille from 2009-10 to 2012-13, Jason Breden was a player at LaVille from 2013-14 to 2015-16, Jason Groves was a player at John Glenn from 1990-91 to 1993-94, and Aubrey (Minix) Lady prepped at Oregon-Davis from 2005-06 to 2998-09. Following their high school career, each is now the head coach of local basketball programs that participate in the TCU Bi-County Basketball Tournament. Amor is in his first season as head girls basketball coach at LaVille. Breden is in his second second season at Argos, Groves in his 18th season at Triton, and Lady in her second season at Oregon-Davis. We had the chance to get a few comments from each one of the four head coaches about their experience as a player and coach. "I think about all the great teams and players who have played in this tournament throughout the years," said Groves, who still holds the tournament record for 3-pointers made for the tournament at 13. "I grew up as a kid dreaming about playing in this tournament. I have been blessed to be able to participate in it as a player and a coach. To be able to be part of the history of this tournament is very special!" For Lady, she also grew up watching the tournament as her dad, Terry Minix, was the OD head girls basketball coach for 21 years. "Growing up, I sat in the stands for many years watching all the people play and dreamed about being able to play in the game when I grew up," Lady said. "Finally I got my chance!! We won it a few years when I played and it was always a great atmosphere to play in." We jogged her memory when we asked about her still holding the TCU Bi-County Tournament single-game record of eight made 3-pointers. "I forgot, but you reminded me I set a record for 3 pointers in a game of the tournament," explained Lady. "However, the 3 point shot I do remember was when I set the state record for career 3 pointers during the Bi-county tournament. I know which end of the court we were, I know where I shot it from, and I remember the excitement the entire team had for me. The following day in school my cell phone went off. I didn’t recognize the number and didn’t answer it, but the caller left a message. It was the legendary Shanna Zolman. She had previously held the record and was calling to congratulate me! How awesome is that!! I like basic, fundamental basketball, but I believe the 3 point shot has helped to open up the inside for the bigs. If you can be a threat from the outside, then the defense has to space out giving teams options. The game isn’t better than before the 3 point shot was in place, it’s just different. And for me, those differences paid off." For Amor, this will be his first year as a head coach in the TCU Bi-County Tournament. He was LaVille's head junior varsity boys basketball coach in 2022. "The anticipation of the (TCU) Bi-County tournament as a player and as a coach is equally as exciting," said Amor, who was named the 2013 W.B. Hawkins Award winner. "When I played I wanted to win because at the time on the boys side we had gone a long time without a win. As a coach I am experiencing the same feeling. The atmosphere this tournament brings is like no other. Breden, like Groves, played in the tournament for one school, but now coaches at a different school. "The TCU Bi-County tournament is extremely special to me," said Breden. "The local rivalries in this tournament are fantastic, and unfortunately with class basketball and new conferences, some of these schools only see each other if it is in the (TCU) Bi-County anymore." Because of the rivalries you can throw rankings and records out the window. "The (TCU) Bi-County Tournament gives the kids in our communities a chance to experience high level play, a big time atmosphere, and make lifelong memories," said Lady. "It’s come full circle for me - from watching in the stands, to playing, and now to coach. I truly am grateful to live in this great community and that TCU puts on such an exciting tournament to be a part of." For the past several years, the first round has been played at four sites and action from Wednesday through Saturday has taken place at LaVille, barring any weather snafooz. And with so many teams within 35 minutes of travel, there are some competitive rivalries. "For LaVille especially, it is a tournament we have always hosted," said Amor. "All the teams are local teams and often considered rivals. Communities travel as fans really well for this tournament creating a "state" tournament like atmosphere in the gym. As a player for most it will be the largest crowd they ever play in front of. Whether you are a coach, player, or fan, if you love the game there is no better tournament." The tournament started as a varsity boys event in 1966 before the varsity girls were added in 1977. John Glenn is the defending boys tournament champion and has won the last four consecutive titles. Bremen is the defending girls tourney champs and has won three of the last four trophies. LaVille last won a girls crown in 1993. The Lancers were under the direction of John Willoughby and defeated John Glenn, 49-36. "We still have our best basketball to be played and this is an opportunity for us to show it," noted Amor. "This is an extremely hard working group of girls that is starting to experience some success, and what greater way to experience it than winning (TCU) Bi-County. The girls want it, the coaches want it, and the community wants it!" LaVille drew Oregon-Davis in the first round. "We have a tough road to get to the final game," said Amor. "To be honest I really do not know who will come out in the final game on the top side of the bracket. In our bracket Orgen Davis gets better with every game. Culver and Argos are two teams that play people close and have had some impressive wins/ games as the season has progressed." When asked about the draw, Lady said, "The draw is pretty balanced for the most part which helps to make the games competitive and exciting! It’s a fun time of year, and having the TCU Bi-county right before the state tournament is a great way to get ready!" In the past, teams were paired by a blind draw. This season, the school was selected and that school was then asked to pick a card numbering one through seven. The number they drew was the position number on the bracket they were placed. With LaVille as the host, they automatically were placed in the eighth position. "The draw this year was done in a unique way, and I think it has created an exciting bracket," Breden said of the pre-tournament meeting. "I think there are many toss-ups to be had in the first and second rounds. "It is one of a few tournaments in the state where there are the same 8 teams every year, and they are all local to each other," the Argos coach continued. "There are various rivalries/rematches that take place every year in the tournament. It also is one of the few things remaining that is similar to 1-class basketball, where enrollment doesn't matter, the best team gets the trophy. I think there are various great players in this year's tournament that are spread out on the various teams. Brycen Hannah, Collin Czarnecki, Cole Shively, Emiliano Ortiz, and JJ Morris all are leading the Marshall County Area in scoring." The Argos boys last won the TCU Bi-County Basketball Tournament in 2003, the Triton boys raised the trophy in 2016, and the Oregon-Davis girls in 2013. Opening round action begins on Monday, January 16 with the junior varsity. Varsity games will be Tickets are $15 for an all-tourney pass and $6 for general admission. Pre-school is admitted free. Game on . . . .