Pro Basketball Comes to Gleason Tonight

By DAVID BRANDT
dbrandt@jacksonsun.com
Feb 5 2005

Count Danny McElhiney as one proud papa when daughter Ashley steps on the Gleason High School basketball court tonight as head coach of the ABA's Nashville Rhythm.

''I am so excited,'' Danny McElhiney said. ''People are really happy about the Rhythm coming to town.''

As for all the hullabaloo surrounding Ashley's job status over the past few days, McElhiney said it was in the past.

Part-owner Sally Anthony took to the court and tried to fire Ashley in the third quarter of a 110-109 victory over Kansas City on Jan. 29. Anthony and the Rhythm later apologized and Ashley was reinstated as coach on Thursday.

''It's time to go forward now,'' Danny McElhiney said. ''I'm just glad there's a game tomorrow.''

Game time is 7 p.m. as the Nashville Rhythm hosts the St. Louis Spirit in an ABA professional basketball game at Gleason.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $12. Tickets can be purchased at McElhiney's Men's Shop in McKenzie from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the Gleason gym before the game.

Gleason principal and girls basketball coach Randy Frazier is still expecting a full house, one that promises to include plenty of media as well.

''We've gotten plenty of calls from state outlets,'' Frazier said. ''But I wouldn't be surprised if some big national media people like ESPN are here, too.''

Danny McElhiney said ticket sales were brisk at his shop in downtown McKenzie. With Ashley's job in hiatus for a few days, the ticket sales were put on hold. But now they've continued with new fervor.

What would have happened if Ashley was without a job and McElhiney had been left holding several hundred tickets - a bonfire, perhaps?

''I hadn't really thought about that, honestly,'' McElhiney said, laughing. ''I'm truly glad it didn't come to something like that.''

Frazier said he's happy with the moves the Rhythm had made, especially since co-owner Sally Anthony stepped down and Tony Bucher took over as chief executive officer.

''I really think that's what Ashley and them were wanting - for Sally Anthony to not be in control any more,'' Frazier said. ''I think they've also made a financial commitment to get some new players to help her team.''

Gleason Mayor Jack Dunning was pretty subdued when asked if he thought ''Tater Town'' would be the center of the sports universe for a few hours.

''People are pretty excited around here,'' Dunning said. ''We're a big sports town, and I expect a lot of people will be here.''

Under McElhiney, the Rhythm are 18-7 and in second place of the ABA Eastern Division. St. Louis is 4-12 and in seventh place of the Central Division.

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- David Brandt, (731) 425-9636 - Source:The Jackson Sun