All week long, while they’re smacking tennis balls back and forth at Halls Ferry Park, the young players in the City of Vicksburg’s summer program are working toward being competitive enough to play and win in tournaments.

The time has come to show their stuff.

About 40 players from Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana will descend on Halls Ferry Park this weekend for the Mississippi Mudcats Novice and Intermediate tournament.

Despite the name, the tournament is for players ages 8-18 who aren’t necessarily beginners at tennis, but rather haven’t played a lot during this tournament season.

The tournament begins Friday at 5 p.m., and continues Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. each day.

“It gives them a chance to compete, and most of them out here play high school tennis, so it helps them prepare for high school tennis and stay in shape through the summer,” said Rick Shields, the director of the City of Vicksburg’s tennis program. “Any tournament you can get in is good to build confidence and your skill levels.”

That was the reason Asher Carson entered. The 16-year-old is a member of Warren Central’s varsity team, but hasn’t played a lot of competitive matches this summer. He was looking forward to not only getting some live reps, but staying close to home to do it.

Most junior tournaments in the summer in Central Mississippi are in Brandon, Jackson or Ridgeland. This is the only one for players ages 8-18 in Vicksburg.

Halls Ferry will host another tournament next weekend for players ages 10 and under.

“It really is more convenient. Then you get to see people you play with out here, and rank yourself against them,” Carson said. “All of them (tournaments) are really fun. But this one you get to play with friends, and play doubles and singles.”

That fun level, as well as the competition and experience, is something else that makes this particular tournament a valuable commodity, Shields said.

“All this goes along with what we do,” Shields said. Our summer program helps prepare the kids for the tournaments. It’s all looped together.”