Prep Hoops: EHT gets shakeup

The Eldorado Holiday Tournament will feature the old with the new next season.

The old will include Herrin and Vienna, while Edwards County will be new to the 52nd playing of the EHT.

Herrin will replace Meridian and Vienna is replacing Galatia, while Edwards County will replace Webster County, Ky.

Herrin, who got out of the tournament, two years ago, previously spent five seasons in the EHT from 2008-2013 and went 12-7, playing the past two seasons at the Carbondale Holiday Tournament.

Meridian, a 34-year member of the Eldorado Holiday Tournament was 66-51.

Eldorado athletic director Greg Goodley said the tell-tale sign of a tournament like the EHT is when a team who was previously in the tournament asks to come back, as was the case with Herrin and Vienna.

We didn't really want them to get out to begin with," Goodley said of Herrin. "We thought they were a good fit, but happy to see they showed interest in coming back. The flip side to that is Meridian wanted to go someplace else. They have a new coach (Erik Griffin) and sometimes people want to test other things, but a place like this will always be open down the road if a spot opens up and they want to come back."

Herrin had a pair of third place finishes in 2009 and 2010. In 2011 the Tigers finished second to Harrisburg, their best finish at the EHT.

With the Tigers returning, they will join fellow Southern Illinois River-to-River Ohio opponents Harrisburg, West Frankfort and Massac County.

Goodley noted that it's hard in this day and time to balance the conference school and what's too many and what's to few in regards to running a tournament.

" I think everyone, fans included, want to see completion, a good basketball game and I think Herrin, Vienna and Edwards County coming in helps make the tournament strong.

"That's nothing against the teams they replaced, because those teams did a great job in the tournament as well."

Goodley said that Herrin, Vienna and Edwards County all signed four year contracts, while the remaining teams are signed through next year's tournament.

"The big thing for us is having everybody on the same contract span, just because it's stability," Goodley said. "It's a lot easier to deal with."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.