The 50th annual Owensboro Dust Bowl kicks off tonight. The tournament traces its humble beginnings back to 1973, when Jerry Davenport, Felix Thruston, and Gus Johnson decided it was time to bring organized basketball to Owensboro’s west side.
While a lot has changed over the years, one thing remains constant: the positive impact on the community. Folks from near and far will converge at Kendall-Perkins Park for six nights of action-packed hoops, live music, food trucks, vendors, and more.
This year’s tournament features over 240 participants on 20 teams in five divisions. After 30 games throughout the week, only five teams will be crowned champions. And while there’s a lot of hardware up for grabs, legends and rookies alike agree it’s ultimately the bragging rights they’re playing for.
The event also features a Praise in the Park Gospel Celebration, Kids Day, contests, and more. The Owensboro Times will be onsite throughout the week with some live game coverage, highlights, and interviews with several Dust Bowl legends.
Here are this year’s brackets:
