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The Calhoun School Tigers hosted the second annual “Big John” Memorial Classic Saturday and claimed the win in all three games. The hometown tournament pitted student-athletes from around the 4-5 in a matchup between two county rivals to honor the memory of their fallen hero.

“Great job by all of the student athletes, cheerleaders, volunteers, administrators, security, fans and Big John’s family,” said Lowndes County Public Schools Athletic Director Ervin Starr in a social media post. “Thank you all for participating and attending. Big John was smiling down on us all.” 

Launched in 2024, the basketball tournament featured JV, varsity girls’ and varsity boys’ teams from Central High School in Hayneville and Calhoun in an afternoon of contests held in memory of the late Sheriff John “Big John” Williams.

First on the court, the Tigers’ JV boys team defeated the Lions, 52-44, in a match that tipped off at 2 p.m. The varsity girls took to the hardwood next, and the Lady Tigers trounced the Lions with an overwhelming 64-19 victory.

Leading Calhoun girls were eighth grader and guard, Alivia Mason, and freshman guard Mariah Champion, with Mason going 8-for-12 and sinking 34 points and eight steals. Champion had 12 points, almost a triple-double, 11 boards and nine steals. 

The pair’s strong performance also gave Champion a career high in blocks. Another key player, freshman forward MaKayla Saffold, made four points and eight rebounds in what was, at the time, the Lady Tigers’ highest-scoring game.

At 5 p.m., varsity boys were center stage and the Tigers’ winning streak went unbroken with Calhoun finishing the tournament with a 91-74 win over the Lions. Tyler Robertson was awarded MaxPreps Basketball Player of the Game for the third time this season.

Robertson, small forward for Calhoun’s varsity boys, is leading the state for points scored for the second week in a row, averaging 31.1 points per game. So far, he has earned 249 points on the season.

Central’s Christian Lawrence scored 25 points for the Lions. 

Williams, a man all in the area knew and loved, was tragically killed in 2019. Fans and team supporters sported sweatshirts with his image and according to Starr, a portion of the gate went to the scholarship fund named in Williams’ honor.

Calhoun was set to meet Highland Home on the road Tuesday before severe winter weather postponed the game. The Tigers will host Stanhope Elmore Jan. 24.

Central’s game with Ellwood Christian Wednesday will be rescheduled. The Lions will travel to Selma Thursday to face Southside.