Seventeen years have come and gone since the first high school basketball games were played at Tyler Consolidated High School, and many believe it is about time to start dusting the cobwebs off a few of the memories made in the “new” gym. Familiar names with familiar faces are about to take to the Knight court once again and everyone in the county is invited to be a part of it all.

The girls track program at Tyler Consolidated is striving to renew some of those fond memories by hosting both a mens’ and womens’alumni basketball game on April 7. At this time, alumni basketball players, band members and cheerleaders are being sought out to be part of a full evening of entertainment.

“We’d like to have as many come out and participate as we can,” said one of the organizers of the event, J.C. Kimble. “It’s time to welcome our alumni back home and we can’t think of a better way to do it than in our gym in front of our fans.”

At this time, several graduates have agreed to participate in the event, but more are being sought.

The Class of 1994 was the first to graduate from Consolidated, making it almost two decades since some of the players have had a basketball in their hands. It is hoped that members of those first varsity girls and boys teams, cheerleaders and band members will participate in the alumni gathering.

Events are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on April 7 at the high school, with several activities, other than basketball, planned to take place including youth games, face painting, pictures with the Easter Bunny, concession stand goodies and more.

At 5 p.m. a sixth grade girls youth basketball stars will shine, followed by the alumni women’s game, odd graduating years vs. even graduating years at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m. a sixth grade boys youth league will play followed by the men’s alumni game, odd graduating years vs. even graduating years, at 8 p.m.

Several alumni have already signed up to be a part of the “Knight Come Back Tour”, including: Dustin Snider (2010), J.C. Kimble (1996), Tommy Phillips (1994), Matt Wright (2004), Scott Maston (2004), Drew Moore (2006), Scott West (2006), D.J. Cunningham (1999), Rob Christen (1995), Josh Mace (1996), Rob Jones (2003), Marc Fetty (1995), Spencer Kimble (2001), Scott Strode (1994), Zach Minger (2010), and Tyler Brown (2010) for the men’s team; Stephanie Landis (1996), Jessie (Dillaman) Turner (1996), Heather Suter (2011), Maddi Schlabowski (2011), Tiffany Lohri (2010), Christy Jones (2010); Jondrea Perkey (1996), and Lynsey (Perkey) Pritchett (2005) for the women’s team; cheerleaders: Shelby Kelly (2011), Annie (Smith) Moore (2009), Katie Smith (2011), Brandy (Headley) Jones (2003), Merritt (Maxwell) Grimes (1996), Stefanie (Starcher) Suter (2003), and Kelly (Little) Grimm (1996); and two band members: Amanda (Paden) Kimble, Shandra Goodfellow.

“We need more alumni,” Kimble said. “We’re hoping that parents, friends and relatives read this and get in touch with their alumni to bring them home for this event. We’d love to see them and have them participate with the rest of us.”

All alumni wishing to participate should call Kimble at 304-771-2210 or 304-758-9000 extension 193. The cost to participate is $15 which will cover the cost of an alumni T-shirt.