Rivalry brings family to court at tournament

Regional basketball history was made Tuesday night when the Central Tigers and the Jackson Indians faced off for the first time in the final of the area's premier holiday tournament. The championship of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament also crossed a few family lines.

Above the hardwood, the Gross family sat apart in the stands -- somewhat divided in their loyalties.

Dad works for the Jackson School District as principal of North Elementary at Fruitland. He is a former Central athlete and has coached football in both districts. Mom is a health and physical education teacher at Central. Their daughters are fierce Tigers.

For most of the game, David Gross talked with surrounding male friends. His wife, Robyn, and their daughters, Danielle and Samantha, cheered Central elsewhere in the arena. Danielle plays for the varsity Lady Tigers.

While Robyn wore a bold orange sweater, David's attempt at neutrality was evidenced by his tan shirt with a bit of navy plaid. His faded Old Navy sun visor, however, was orange.

"Before we left home, my wife made me change my shirt because it had maroon in it" he said.

Robyn Gross said the reason was obvious.

"It was too close to red," she said.

Many Tiger players have come through her classroom over the years, and they know her husband works in the other school district.

"They always ask me who I'm going to root for at the games," she said. "It was worse when he was the football coach in Jackson. Of course, I wanted him to do well, but I still rooted for Cape."

With ties to both school districts, David Gross sometimes feels torn.

"I'm in kind of a crossfire," he said. "So, I'm always neutral at these games."

He occasionally jokes with his wife and daughters about their loyalty to the Tigers.

"I told Danielle, 'You know, you'd look good in red,'" he said. "And she just panicked and said, 'Don't you dare buy me anything like that.'"

Watching the warm-up session, he pointed out several Central players he knew by name.

"I know a lot of them because they're my daughter's age," he said. "It's hard to root against them. The only heartbreaking thing is that somebody is going to lose this game tonight."

The loss was suffered by the Tigers, with Jackson winning 63-60.

Despite the near mythic rivalry between the teams, the fans displayed good sportsmanship Tuesday night. Red shirts sat next to orange shirts without argument. Nobody was seen flicking popcorn. And the only trash talk came during free throws from those sitting behind the baskets.

Perhaps it was the family ties.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160