November 14, 2024 – The Paris Junior College Women’s Basketball Classic has seen tremendous growth, with eight teams competing on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16, in the Hunt Center on the Paris campus.
“We’re excited for the Classic,” said PJC Athletic Director Clay Cox. “It’s an event that is bringing in a lot of quality teams, players, and coaches, and hopefully it’s a recruiting event for all these teams. It’s also a great, great opportunity for the city of Paris to bring in business and so we’re excited all around. We think it’s going to be a great tournament.”
“This is the second year of the classic, but our first year hosting this many teams,” said PJC Women’s Basketball Coach Brittany Christian. “In year one, we had a four-team field and the games were outstanding. It resulted in a lot of great feedback and interest for this year’s field.”
PJC will host Blinn College, Midland College, Seminole State College (OK), Shorter College (AR), South Plains College (ranked 18th nationally), Trinity Valley Community College (ranked 16th nationally), and Western Texas College.
“Attendees can expect to see some very high-level basketball,” said Christian. “The field contains two nationally ranked teams, with others receiving votes, and several highly ranked individual players. The games will be fast-paced, exciting and very competitive.”
A player of the game will be named for each game, and the weekend will be capped with all-classic team selections.
“Our team is excited to compete,” Christian said. “We have a young group, with a lot of freshmen playing big minutes for us. But the group is very athletic, hardworking, and hungry to learn. Our non-negotiable is to get better every time we take the floor, and this group is really leaning into their growth.”
Game schedule for Friday, Nov. 15 is Trinity Valley vs. South Plains, 1 p.m.; Blinn vs. Midland, 3 p.m., PJC vs. Seminole State, 5 p.m.; and Western Texas vs. Shorter College, 7 p.m. The schedule on Saturday, Nov. 16, is Western Texas vs. TVCC, 12 p.m.; Seminole vs. Blinn, 2 p.m., South Plains vs. PJC, 4 p.m.; and Midland vs. Shorter, 6 p.m. All games will be in the Hunt Center and concessions will be available both days. Admission is $4 per adult.
For those wanting to learn more about the basketball programs, PJC is partnering with the Paris – Lamar County Chamber of Commerce for a Tip-Off lunch. PJC Women’s Basketball Coach Brittany Christian and Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Foy will give a season preview at the lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the McLemore Student Center Ballroom. Tickets are $10 for Chamber members, $15 for non-Chamber members, and free for students with ID.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
