Last April organizers of the inaugural Healing in the Hood Legends Game were forced to turn away fans because Chickasaw Gym's capacity had been reached.
Healing in the Hood director Sandy "Bebe" Gillespie hopes for similar support for this year's event, which will be April 13-14.
"We had a great turnout last year," he said. "We're expecting the same turnout or even greater this year. We pray that the city comes out and supports what we're trying to do and get involved with it."
The goal of the men's and women's Legends games is to unify the community. There will even be a tribute to Roosevelt Jackson, a former Chickasaw football and basketball star who was murdered last year in Kennett.
"We're trying to bring the community together, bring unity," Gillespie said. "Last year there were a lot of people, but it was fun. It was peaceful. Nobody was fighting, nobody was shooting. Everybody is still talking about that event and saying how much fun they had in Blytheville."
Organizers have tweaked this year's event.
There will be a youth three-point contest for students in grades 5-10 as well as a youth skills challenge for the same age groups.
Coaches will participate in a Shooting Stars Coaches Challenge.
The expected participants include Randy Jumper, Sunny Osagie, Mary Tyler, Shelia Partee, Charlie Sullivan, O.D. Bailey, Adron Poole, David Hixson, Shannon "Duck" Sims, Louise Davis, John Diamond, John Musgraves and Jeff Law.
Gillespie said the challenge is a way to honor those who had such an impact on players.
"They have given back to the community in a major way," he said.
Meanwhile, instead of a 1990s versus 2000s girls game, the contest will pit 2000-2005 against 2006-2011 players.
The 1990s versus 2000s men's teams will square off once again.
There has already been plenty of respectful trash talk on Facebook and Twitter for the men's and women's games.
"This year, we're guaranteeing victory," said Gillespie, a member of the 1990s team. "We found some weak spots in the 2000s. They're athletic, they're fast, they're quick. We know now that we can't play them head up. We can't match them speed for speed, but we found some weaknesses in their play and we're going to exploit them this year."
Let the games begin.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com