There’s almost always a story that comes out of the annual Eldorado Holiday Tournament. The 2023 edition is no different. It wasn’t the Herrin Tigers three-peating however. This tournament will be remembered for a Hamilton County student athlete getting cold cocked in what many say was a pre-meditated move by an Eldorado student athlete with a history of such aggressive moves. The controversy is bringing into question the leadership of adults, coaches, and mentors at Eldorado and within high school sports.
At this point, the ball is in the administration’s hands as well as officials with the Illinois High School Association. Eldorado officials released a statement on Friday, in it saying they were conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Furthermore, they say they will not tolerate the unsportsmanlike behavior displayed. Some say they not only have been tolerating that kind of behavior, but are even more concerned it’s potentially been encouraged.
The athlete on the receiving end of the elbow was knocked to the floor, bloodied and then collapsed multiple times attempting to stand and make his way off the court. Family have since said the boy is sore and swollen, but that he will heal in time and injuries he sustained aren’t permanent.
See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/HBYSmpG8YGU?si=cUkDjevcRPlybMdX&t=3324
Video of the event has been viewed nearly 10,000 times in just days. Since it happened, others have piped up, some with video of other incidents on social media that show what could be construed as a disturbing pattern. There’s also concern over whether this type of aggressive play is taught and encouraged. In talking to community members around the region, some say this has been common practice for decades.
The Bulldogs are set to face the Eagles in Eldorado on Friday, January 5th.
