Decorations are beginning to be boxed, gifts have been unwrapped and lights being taken down. For area basketball teams, specifically Goshen High School, practice is back in session and preparations are being made for the 1st annual Goshen Holiday Tournament Sponsored by The Messenger.

Goshen will host Zion Chapel, Pike County and Highland Home in the two-day tournament.

Goshen High School basketball head coach Johnny Mitchell is hoping to build a solid foundation for the event as it moves into the new $3.1 million gymnasium next year.

“Its about promoting basketball in the area and to give schools like us a place to place this time of year,” Mitchell said. “

The new gym is on track for its 12-14 month completion date, which began in September. The facility will seat 1,000 people and will have six dressing rooms.

“We’re excited to move into the new gym next year and this will provide a great opportunity to get our tournament started and get the word out,” said Mitchell. “We hope people come out and enjoy the tournament during the holidays.”

Mitchell said Goshen had a tough time finding a tournament within reasonable driving distance for the Eagles to participate in during the holiday break. He said he felt there were other smaller schools that were having the same issue and wanted to provide those schools with a place to play.

The tournament, which features the boy’s and girl’s teams from Zion Chapel, Highland Home, Pike County and Goshen, will begin today at 2:30 p.m. with the Pike County and Zion Chapel girl’s squads squaring off. The school’s boys teams will play immediately afterwards.

Goshen and Highland Home girls will play at 5:30 p.m. with the boys to follow.