By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
June 17, 2004
With the final countdown fast approaching for the State Games of Mississippi, the Games' office has had its typical controlled chaos before the start of the yearly event.
The Games, which held a tune-up weekend with three events on June 5-6, will hold its opening ceremony at Meridian High School's Ray Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Olympic-style competition will run from Saturday through Sunday and from June 24-27.
This weekend will have 12 sports, and the second weekend of the Games will have 11 sports. The high school baseball and basketball tournaments begin on June 24 and run through the final day of the Games.
Reed said over 3,000 athletes have signed up to participate in the Games this year as of Wednesday.
The top question on most callers' minds to the Games' office has been, "Are the soccer brackets ready?"
Soccer teams' and fans' questions will be answered today, as the Games' posted the brackets on its Web site at www.stategamesofms.org.
The Games have undergone minimal changes as the two-weekend event fast approaches.
Part of youth soccer competition will not be held Kate Griffin Junior High School as originally planned. The soccer portion of this weekend's Games will still be held at Jaycee Soccer Complex, Northeast Soccer Complex and the Meridian High School practice field.
High School basketball, which will be held the second weekend of the Games, will not be played a Northwest Junior High School. The basketball tournament will still be held at Newton County High School, Newton High School, Meridian High School and Meridian Community College.
Tickets for the Games' Opening Ceremony, which includes a parade of athletes and fireworks show, are still available and can be purchased at the State Games' office on the MCC campus are at Ray Stadium the day of the ceremony.
Participants can still sign up for many of the events at the Games. For more information contact the State Games' office at 1-800-482-0205.