When the temperature dips below 50-degrees and the gray skies threaten to cut loose a cold rain at any minute, that’s not exactly premium tennis weather.

But that didn’t stop play at Selma High School and at the Memorial Stadium courts Thursday afternoon.

Fifth graders from Selma’s City schools competed for fame and glory on the hardcourt in the week-long Inaugural Selma City Schools Tennis Championship Tournament.

Players from Clark, Payne, Meadowview, Knox, Edgewood, Byrd, Kingston and Payne elementary schools competed for individual titles and a team championship as well.

With the kids, some in coats and jackets scurrying around the courts in front of him, Hill broke into a smile.

The teams played on the lighted courts at the high school and at Memorial Stadium on Monday and Tuesday when the weather was beautiful. Rain forced them to miss Wednesday but they were back in high spirits on Thursday.

The matches lasted from 3:15 p.m. until 6 p.m. The week-long tournament will wrap up with a banquet Sunday afternoon at the Selma Civic Center from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Awards will be given out for best boys and girls players as well as the top teams.

Hill said there’s some talent developing in Selma.

With more fun tournaments like this week, there could be a lot more young Selmians ready to join them.