GREAT BASKETBALL ON DISPLAY AT THE CORETTA SCOTT KING CLASSIC

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is incredibly important in the basketball calendar. For decades, the NBA has used the day to honor Dr. King and showcase its best games and brightest stars. It’s a day that means a lot to the league and one they treat with honor and respect. In women’s college basketball, they’ve begun a new tradition of their own to honor an American hero.

Coretta Scott King was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement worldwide throughout her life. She was one of the leading voices against apartheid in South Africa, the Vietnam War, and both Iraq Wars, and helped lead the Poor People’s Campaign, among many important feats. In the 1980s, she was instrumental in having Dr. King Day enacted as a federal holiday. With the gains made from the Civil Rights Movement under threat from the United States government, the holiday takes on even more importance.

“This holiday means a lot to our community and who we are as people,” Ohio State guard Chance Gray said. “Being able to honor that and play in this [game], and also honoring Coretta Scott King. You know, she was behind Martin Luther King a lot. So just being able to notice that women are behind it too.”

In the first game of the Classic, the fans in Newark were treated to a thriller between TCU and Ohio State. Jaloni Cambridge has taken the country by storm, wowing fans and legends alike. In the first half, she struggled against the TCU defense as she went 2-10 from the field and couldn’t find her shot.

However, great players always find a way, even amidst early struggles. Cambridge scored ten points in the fourth quarter and helped Ohio State collect its biggest win of the season in a 71-69 thriller over No. 9 TCU. It was the Buckeyes’ second win against a Top Ten opponent this season and have a chance to beat another Top 10 opponent when they visit No. 10 Iowa on January 25.

In the second half of the holiday doubleheader, undefeated Vanderbilt took the court against Michigan. Vandy dominated early and built a lead as big as 19 points. However, Michigan is a resilient team and fought all the way back to make it a one-possession game in the final seconds.

They had a chance to tie or go ahead late, but missed three pointers by Olivia Olson and Syla Swords helped Vanderbilt survive Michigan’s furious comeback, 72-69. Vanderbilt is 19-0 and has a big-time matchup in Columbia against No. 2 South Carolina on January 25.

The SEC is a lot like the Royal Rumble. You survive one opponent, and the entrance music plays, and a bigger, badder opponent is coming down the aisle with their eyes on you.

The Coretta Scott King Classic was tremendous. The games were excellent, and fans paid respect to two American heroes.

We can only hope this country heeds the message of Coretta and Dr. King and applies it to their lives and communities.