Tuesday afternoon, Murphysboro Athletic Director Len Novara confirmed that the annual Ernie Bozarth Memorial Tournament, which has tipped of the season for several area teams, will not be hosted by Murphysboro this coming season.
This past year’s Ernie Bozarth Memorial Tournament was the 19th annual.  It featured the host schools Murphysboro and Trico, as well as Carterville, Harrisburg, Steeleville, Red Bud, Chester, and Lovejoy.
The Murphysboro Red Devils won last year’s tournament over Carterville in the Championship Game 60-53 behind 18 points from sophomore Cade Brooks and 17 points from junior Karmelo Abernathy.  Abernathy was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 64 points in four games during the week.
Novara confirmed that the Red Devils will start their season at the Du Quoin Tip Off Classic.  That tournament runs the same week the Ernie Bozarth Memorial Tournament would have taken place: Monday, November 27 thru Saturday, December 2.