MLK Tournament Scholarship
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Tylon Chatman, Haywood County High School, Doyeln Cockeill III, Pearl-Cohn High School, Christopher Eason, Middle College High School, Ronnie J. Freeman, Harding Academy, Darrius Garrett, Ridgeway High School, Cameron Harris, Ridgeway High School, Ty'mon Harvey, Dyersburg High School, Tavion Ray, Booker T. Washington High School, Jude Robinson, Middle College High School, Jairus Terry, Jr., Fayette-Ware High School, Johnathan Varner, Kirby High School
Macy Allen, West Memphis High School, Haeili Bradshaw, White Station High School, Cora Cause Whitehaven High School, Kayli Clarkson, Briarcrest Christian School, Taylor Cole, Forrest City High School, Demi Gentry, White Station High School, Marionna Gooden, Whitehaven High School, Addie Hurt, Dyersburg High School, Khushleen Kaur, Madison Central High School, Elizabeth Key, Booker T. Washington High School, Addison Pope, Briarcrest Christian School, Mafo Tekobo, Briarcrest Christian School, Aniya Vornes, West Memphis High School
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Tylon Chatman, Haywood County High School, Doyeln Cockeill III, Pearl-Cohn High School, Christopher Eason, Middle College High School, Ronnie J. Freeman, Harding Academy, Darrius Garrett, Ridgeway High School, Cameron Harris, Ridgeway High School, Ty'mon Harvey, Dyersburg High School, Tavion Ray, Booker T. Washington High School, Jude Robinson, Middle College High School, Jairus Terry, Jr., Fayette-Ware High School, Johnathan Varner, Kirby High School
Macy Allen, West Memphis High School, Haeili Bradshaw, White Station High School, Cora Cause Whitehaven High School, Kayli Clarkson, Briarcrest Christian School, Taylor Cole, Forrest City High School, Demi Gentry, White Station High School, Marionna Gooden, Whitehaven High School, Addie Hurt, Dyersburg High School, Khushleen Kaur, Madison Central High School, Elizabeth Key, Booker T. Washington High School, Addison Pope, Briarcrest Christian School, Mafo Tekobo, Briarcrest Christian School, Aniya Vornes, West Memphis High School
Brackets
The History of the Martin Luther King Tournament
“To provide recreational pleasure through athletic competition for underprivileged young men and women in the inner city and to represent athletic success with emphasis placed on academic excellence.” These few words summarize the primary objective of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball tournament is symbolic of its namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose philosophy was “Living the Dream.” Therefore, in living the dream of helping youngsters, the late Lloyd Williams of Hamilton High School and Vertis Sails of Melrose High School organized the tournament. Participating high schools were Carver, Douglas, Hamilton, Lester, Melrose, Mitchell, Northside, Southside, and Booker T. Washington. Carrying the torch today is Coach Robert Newman, who has struggled, with limited resources, to keep the dream alive. Thanks to community support, the tournament continues to grow and serve young people!
The first basketball tournament was held in December 1971, and the winner was Northside High School, coached by Marion Brewer at Melrose High School. Hamilton High became the host school in 1992. Coaches in attendance were Marion Brewer of Northside High School, Ed. Thornton of Carver High School, Tim Morgan of Mitchell Road High School, Jake Peacock of Lester High School, and William “Bill” Little of Booker T. Washington High School. Melrose High School was the site of the tournament until 1992, in which time Hamilton High School became the host school. Before the creation of the MLK Invitational Tournament, inner-city youth (as a group) were denied the opportunity to participate in other Memphis and Mid-South Area Tournaments.
Today, the tournament is viewed as one of the most competitive tournaments in the United States. In 2015, there were a total of 64 participating teams. Coaches from across the country come to Memphis to scout potential college basketball players. Being observed by these coaches is a once in a lifetime occurrence for most of these players. Young ladies began participating in the tournament in 1993, and the middle schools began participating in 2009. 2022 marks the 51st year for the tournament.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball tournament is symbolic of its namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose philosophy was “Living the Dream.” Therefore, in living the dream of helping youngsters, the late Lloyd Williams of Hamilton High School and Vertis Sails of Melrose High School organized the tournament. Participating high schools were Carver, Douglas, Hamilton, Lester, Melrose, Mitchell, Northside, Southside, and Booker T. Washington. Carrying the torch today is Coach Robert Newman, who has struggled, with limited resources, to keep the dream alive. Thanks to community support, the tournament continues to grow and serve young people!
The first basketball tournament was held in December 1971, and the winner was Northside High School, coached by Marion Brewer at Melrose High School. Hamilton High became the host school in 1992. Coaches in attendance were Marion Brewer of Northside High School, Ed. Thornton of Carver High School, Tim Morgan of Mitchell Road High School, Jake Peacock of Lester High School, and William “Bill” Little of Booker T. Washington High School. Melrose High School was the site of the tournament until 1992, in which time Hamilton High School became the host school. Before the creation of the MLK Invitational Tournament, inner-city youth (as a group) were denied the opportunity to participate in other Memphis and Mid-South Area Tournaments.
Today, the tournament is viewed as one of the most competitive tournaments in the United States. In 2015, there were a total of 64 participating teams. Coaches from across the country come to Memphis to scout potential college basketball players. Being observed by these coaches is a once in a lifetime occurrence for most of these players. Young ladies began participating in the tournament in 1993, and the middle schools began participating in 2009. 2022 marks the 51st year for the tournament.