Welcome to high school basketball heaven – Reed Conder Gymnasium and the Marshall County Hoopfest

In an era of unimaginative, cookie cutter high school construction projects, Reed Conder Gymasium in Benton, Ky., stands as a Taj Mahal of sorts.

Marshall County High School's marvel of a high school basketball home is unique in its layout and 6,000-seat capacity.

It also hosts the Marshall County Hoopfest – one of the nation's top early-season showcase events. The 19th installment takes place this weekend (Dec. 5-6) and will feature teams from nine states and Canada.

Click through for more about Reed Conder Gymnasium and the Marshall County Hoopfest.{PAGEBREAK} The scope of the facility was the product of consolidating three Marshall County schools in the mid-1970s – a process overseen by late former superintendent Reed Conder.



"Our community is centered around our school and they really come out and support our event," current Marshall County Athletic Director Jeff Stokes said. "The anticipation for this event starts six months out with people asking what out-of-state teams are coming in, what recruits will be there, will coach Calipari be there this year?"

Construction on the gym was completed in 1979. The Kentucky Wildcats were among the first to take the floor as Joe B. Hall brought a team that featured Kyle Macy and Sam Bowie into town for a public scrimmage.{PAGEBREAK} Reed Conder Gymnasium would be a jewel in any community, but it's especially so in tiny Benton. The town itself has a population of under 5,000 and the entire county the school takes its name from is home to barely over 30,000.

According to Stokes, tourism to nearby Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, plus the Calvert City industrial area, are major employers in the community. Benton is tucked away in the narrow, western part of the state.{PAGEBREAK} The Marshall County Hoopfest has attracted programs from over 20 different states and played host to major star power. Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose are among the most prominent current NBA players to take the floor in Benton.

Here is a look at notable game MVPs:

Michael Beasley (2005)
Avery Bradley (2008)
Shannon Brown (2002)
Monta Ellis (2003)
Tyler Hansbrough (2004)
Joe Jackson (2007)
Brandon Jennings (2007, 2006)
Cory Joseph (2009)
Shaun Livingston (2003)
Otto Porter (2010)
Derrick Rose (2006)
Jon Scheyer (2005)
Josh Smith (2003)
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (2011)
Jared Sullinger (2008)
Tristan Thompson (2009, 2008)
Brandon Wright (2005)
Thaddeus Young (2005){PAGEBREAK} Recognized as national champions eight times during the legendary 30-year career of head coach Steve Smith, Oak Hill Academy is deeply embedded in the history of the Marshall County Hoopfest.

The Warriors have made 15 trips to the event and played 21 games. The Virginia juggernaut lost in its first appearance, but is 19-2 overall and has won 14 in a row dating back to 2004.



2013 – Atlanta Sports Academy, Won 88-41
2012 – Curie (Chicago), Won 72-39
2012 – Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.), Won 89-73
2011 – Hales Franciscan (Chicago), Won 108-66
2011 – La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), Won 77-59
2010 – Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Won 73-71
2009 – Callaway (Jackson, Miss.), Won 73-46
2008 – Simeon (Chicago), Won 58-52
2008 – Duncanville (Texas), Won 69-57
2007 – Hales Franciscan, Won 83-62
2006 – Provine (Jackson, Miss.), Won 91-57
2005 – Simeon, Won 63-57
2005 – McKinley (Canton, Ohio), Won 51-50
2004 – Lanier (Jackson, Miss.), Won 94-80
2004 – Homewood-Flossmoor (Flossmoor, Ill.), Lost 68-67
2003 – Lexington Catholic (Lexington, Ky.), Won 77-59
2003 – Lanier, Won 80-75
2001 – Male (Louisville, Ky.), Won 72-49
1999 – Santa Rita (Tucson, Ariz.), Won 70-41
1998 – Ballard (Louisville, Ky.), Won 73-57
1997 – Lexington Catholic (Ky.), Lost 62-49{PAGEBREAK} 2014 Marshall County Hoopfest Schedule

Thursday, Dec. 4
4 p.m. – [GIRLS] Marshall County (Benton, Ky.) vs. Massac County (Metropolis, Ill.)
5:15 p.m. – Dyersburg (Tenn.) vs. Marshall County (Benton, Ky.)
6:30 p.m. – Orangeville Prep (Canada) vs. Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)
7:45 p.m. – Graves County (Mayfield, Ky.) vs. Massac County (Metropolis, Ill.)

Friday, Dec. 5
4 p.m. – Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) vs. Sunrise Christian Academy
5:30 p.m. – Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) vs. Reach Your Dream Prep (Memphis, Tenn.)
7 p.m. – Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.) vs. Callaway (Jackson, Miss.)
8:30 p.m. – Arsenal Technical (Indianapolis) vs. Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.)
10 p.m. – Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.) vs. Carlisle (Martinsville, Va.)

Saturday, Dec. 6
8:30 a.m. – Arsenal Tech vs. White Station (Memphis, Tenn.)
10 a.m. – [GIRLS] North Hopkins (Madisonville, Ky.) vs. Marshall County
11:30 a.m. – Marshall County vs. Owensboro (Ky.)
1 p.m. – Hopkinsville (Ky.) vs. Lausanne Collegiate (Memphis, Tenn.)
2:30 p.m. – Lincoln (Ill.) vs. McCracken County (Paducah, Ky.)
4 p.m. – Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) vs. La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)
5:30 p.m. – Archbishop Carroll vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland)
7 p.m. – Oak Hill Academy vs. Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.)
8:30 p.m. – Callaway vs. Orangeville Prep
10 p.m. – Arlington Country Day vs. Huntington St. Joseph Prep