Archived Articles - 2006

10/19/06
Junkanoo Jam Field Hosts Two National Champions

The 4th Annual Junkanoo Jam, Grand Bahama Island Women’s College Basketball Tournament looks to be even more exciting than the previous three years. With the participation of the past two seasons’ NCAA National Champions, the 2006 Junkanoo Jam will again be one of the most competitive tournaments in women’s college basketball. Maryland, the 2006 NCAA National Champions, headlines the Freeport Division and Baylor, the 2005 NCAA National Champions, headlines the Lucaya Division. Six highly respected teams round out the remainder of the fields and are sure to give the former champions a run for the title. The 2006 fields include Gardner-Webb, University of Maryland, University of Mississippi and Northwestern (Freeport Division) and Baylor, Central Florida University, South Dakota State and University of Virginia (Lucaya Division).

“We are thrilled to once again host such a fine tournament with such superb athletes,” said David Morely, Bahamas Basketball Federation President. “These ladies are wonderful examples for our future basketball players in the Bahamas and we hope the tournament continues to raise the interest for our younger players on the island. As for the visiting coaches, players and fans we guarantee that they will not be disappointed with our pristine beaches, clear blue water and the friendly island locals.”

The Freeport Division showcases four very exciting teams with the University of Maryland, University of Mississippi, Gardner-Webb and Northwestern.

The 2006 National Champions, Maryland, look to add another piece of hardware to their trophy case, this time from Grand Bahama Island. The Terps return all five starters from last year’s squad and has been ranked number one in multiple pre-season polls (Street and Smith, Lindy’s), This year’s All-American Candidates include forwards Crystal Langhorne, Marissa Coleman and Laura Harper, and guards Kristi Toliver and Shay Doron. Also eligible to compete on this year’s squad are transfers Christie Marrone (Virginia Tech) and Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood (Tennessee).

With Coach Carol Ross at the helm, Armintie Price at guard, and an experienced contingent of nine returning letterwinners, the University of Mississippi should not be taken lightly. All-American candidate Price averaged 17.7 ppg last season and is accompanied by SEC All-Conference candidate guards Ashley Awkard and Carla Bartee and forwards Shawn Goff and Danetra Forrest.

The Gardner-Webb Bulldogs made huge strides last season playing in their first-ever Atlantic Sun tournament and reaching the finals before losing to Florida Atlantic (73-64). With the bulk of the team returning, including three starters and a slew of talented newcomers, Gardner-Webb is projected to have a successful 2006-07 season. Look for senior Shameka Smith and sophomore Jessica Bryant to lead the way for the Bulldogs.

Rounding out the Freeport Division are the Wildcats of Northwestern University. Head Coach Beth Combs enters her 3rd season with all five starters returning and four newcomers eager to contribute. The Wildcats are lead by forward A.J. Glasauer who averaged 11 ppg in 2005-06.

The Lucaya Division also boasts four very competitive teams with Baylor, Central Florida University, South Dakota State and University of Virginia.

Baylor is a young team with a winning tradition. The 2005 NCAA Champions welcome seven new players this season including 2004 Junkanoo Jam All-Tournament Team member Bernice Mosby (transfer from Florida). Veteran guard and two year starter Angela Tisdale, who averaged 11 points and 5 assists per game last season, joins Mosby. All Star Girls Report dubbed the Bear’s newcomers the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class.

With five key letterwinners returning and Coach Gail Striegler heading into her eighth season, the University of Central Florida Golden Knights have all the components for a winning season. The Golden Knights, who last season went 7-21 overall and 5-11 in Conference USA play, return two of their top three scorers. Francine Houston, averaged 13.1 ppg and Keunta Miles, averaged 8.2 ppg in the 2005-06 season.

The Jackrabbits of South Dakota State are excited to bring their game to the people of Grand Bahama Island this November. In only their third year of Division I NCAA play, the Jackrabbits have established themselves as competitors. Coming off of a 19-9 mark in the 2005-06 season and returning their leading scorer, Megan Vogel, (16 ppg) the Jackrabbits look to have another successful season.

Rounding out the Lucaya Division is the University of Virginia, who come to the Bahamas with a pre-season ranking of 20th (Street and Smith). With a 20-12 finish from last season under their belt and only one starter lost, Virginia is ready to pick up where they left off. All-American candidate, point guard Sharnee Zoll, and All-Conference candidate, center Siedah Williams, make an unstoppable combination for the Cavaliers.

The Junkanoo Jam is held annually in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, just 60 miles off the coast of Florida. In the 2005 tournament, Rutgers (who finished the season with an appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen) and Texas both won their respective division championships of the Junkanoo Jam. The Junkanoo Jam is a non-certified tournament that includes two counting games in two separate 4-team brackets over Thanksgiving. Teams enjoy a catamaran snorkel cruise, a beachside Thanksgiving dinner party (weather permitting), and the white sand beaches of beautiful Grand Bahama Island.

For more information or to download the tournament brackets click here.

7/20/06
2006 Paradise Jam Field Best Ever

The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Men’s Basketball Tournament is reaching new heights this year with the addition of two men’s teams to the original six-team bracket. Eight division I men’s basketball teams will travel to St. Thomas to participate in the 7th annual U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands. Basketball fans can look forward to the most impressive men’s field that the Paradise Jam has ever assembled, with four of the 2006 participants earning berths to the 2006 NCAA tournament last March. Villanova (28-5), Iowa (25-9), Xavier (21-11), and Alabama (18-13) each competed in the NCAA tournament, with Villanova advancing to the Elite 8, and Alabama reaching the second round. Although those four NCAA-hardened squads bring high expectations to the islands this November, they will be hard-pressed by the other four teams also seeking early season success. Virginia Commonwealth (19-10), Toledo (20-11), College of Charleston (17-11), and Middle Tennessee State (16-12) round out the eight-team Paradise Jam field, making it one of the most competitive neutral court early season tournaments in America.

The strong eight-team field will begin game competition on November 17th with consecutive-day action culminating in the championship round on Nov. 20. The 2006 Paradise Jam will tip off with the University of Alabama playing Middle Tennessee State at 2pm on the 17th. The day’s other match ups include Toledo and Iowa at 4:30 pm, Xavier and Virginia Commonwealth at 7pm and College of Charleston battling Villanova at 9:30pm. All game times are Atlantic Standard Time (one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time). Two games will be played daily on November 18th (losing teams from the 17th) and 19th (winning teams from the 17th) at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. The final day of competition on November 20 will be structured similarly to the first day, with the game times set for 2pm, 4:30pm, 7pm and the championship game at 9:30pm. All games will be played at the state-of-the-art University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Villanova headlines this exciting men’s bracket, based on their impressive finish in the 2006 NCAA tournament. Villanova enters the tournament with post-season momentum behind them, advancing to the Elite eight and losing in the regional final to eventual national champion Florida. Villanova returns two starters from last year’s squad after losing three players to the NBA. Senior Randy Foye was chosen 7th in the NBA draft by Minnesota Timberwolves, fellow senior Allen Ray signed a free agent contract with Boston, and junior guard Kyle Lowry was chosen 24th by the Memphis Grizzlies. The returning starters, seniors Mike Nardi and Will Sheridan, will have high expectations placed upon them coming off last season’s remarkable success. Sheridan, a 6-8 forward, started 31 of Villanova’s 32 games, averaging 5.6 ppg and team-high 6.3 rebounds per game. Nardi, a 6-2 guard, added 10.4 points per game, and will be expected to guide the team. Returning to the line up after taking a medical red shirt in 2005-06 is senior forward Curtis Sumpter. He was a pre-season All-Big East player last year before re-injuring his left knee. He averaged 15 ppg and 7.2 rpg as a junior in 2004-05 and, at 6-7, will be expected to play a huge role in Villanova’s success. Villanova also adds five new freshmen to the 2006-2007 squad, including McDonalds All American Scottie Reynolds a 6-foot-1 guard from Herndon (Va.) High School. Reynolds was a three-time Associated Press first-team All-State selection and was the Class AAA Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 28.4 points, 4.5 assists and four steals as a senior.
The University of Iowa comes to St. Thomas boasting a 25-9 record, a Big Ten Conference Tournament championship and an NCAA tournament appearance. The Hawkeyes earned a #3 seed while making their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, ending the season with a last second upset loss to Northwestern State in the first round of the tournament. Coach Steve Alford and Iowa will look to returning starters Adam Haluska and Mike Henderson for early season leadership on the court. Haluska, a 6-5 senior guard, averaged 13.9 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. Henderson, also a senior guard, contributed 7.6 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game last season. Sophomore guard Tony Freeman (3.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg) appeared in 33 games last season and will be expected to contribute more this year.

The Xavier Musketeers finished 21-11 last season, recording their ninth 20-win season in the last 10 years. Coach Sean Miller returns all five starters from the team that won the 2006 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In fact, Xavier returns the top seven players that put together that championship run. Three contributors are seniors, including 6-6 forward Justin Cage, the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship “Most Outstanding Player” and two-time A-10 All-Defensive Team selection. Cage (14.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and fellow senior forward Justin Doellman (11 ppg, 6.7 rpg) are expected to start for the fourth straight season. The duo has won two Atlantic 10 Championships and two NCAA Tournament berths in three years in the starting lineup. The versatile 6-9 Doellman led XU in rebounding last season for the second straight year (10th in the Atlantic 10), and also ranked in the top ten in the league in steals and blocks. The third senior is 6-8 forward Brandon Cole, who became XU’s top big man off the bench as a junior. Junior Stanley Burrell (14.4, 3.3 assists per game) earned 2006 Atlantic 10 Conference Second Team honors and led XU in scoring in each of his first two seasons as a Musketeer. Drew Lavender, a 5-7 transfer who becomes eligible this season, was a two-year starter at point guard at Oklahoma and is a former prep McDonald’s All-American and All-Ohio standout. In addition to Lavender, the impressive list of five newcomers includes red shirt freshman forward Derrick Brown, arguably one of the best athletes in the Atlantic 10. Freshman guard Adrion Graves and newcomer big men Charles Bronson and Jason Love are all expected to make an impact this season.

Alabama travels to the Paradise Jam after making their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The Crimson Tide advanced to the second round in 2006, falling to eventual national champion runner-up UCLA. Alabama is coached by its former All-SEC guard, Mark Gottfried, who guided them to the Elite 8 in 2004. Alabama returns four starters from last season. They will be led by their two standout 1st team All-SEC players Jermareo Davidson (14.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg), a 6-10 senior forward, and 6-3 junior point guard Ronald Steele (14.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg), an Honorable Mention AP All-American in 2006 and an All-SEC selection as both a freshman and sophomore. Also expected to contribute are 2006 All-SEC Freshman Team selections Richard Hendrix and Alonzo Gee. Hendrix (9.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg), a 6-8-sophomore guard, received the freshmen of the week award three times in 2005-06 season. Alonzo Gee, a 6-6 sophomore forward, averaged 8.6 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game and proved to be a huge contributor down the stretch and into the NCAA tournament.

Virginia Commonwealth is one of two Paradise Jam participants that come to the islands with a new coach at the helm. Anthony Grant was named VCU head coach after winning the national championship as the top assistant at Florida. Under former head coach Jeff Capel, the Rams posted a 19-10 overall record and went 11-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Just missing an NIT bid, VCU had an RPI of 81 and a non-conference RPI of 25. VCU was the highest-rated team not to receive a post-season bid. After losing senior leading scorer and NBA prospect Nick George, new head coach Grant will look to returning starting seniors B.A. Walker and Jesse Pellot-Rosa. Walker, a 6-2 guard finished the 2006-06 season averaging 11.7 points per game. Jesse Pellot-Rosa, a 6-4 guard, averaged 9.2 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game.

College of Charleston (17-11) also travels to the Virgin Islands with a new coach at the helm, Bobby Cremins. Although new to the College of Charleston, Cremins is surely a recognized name in the men’s game as Georgia Tech’s all-time winningest coach. He was inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame this year. Cremins will look to 4 returning starters, three of which were All-Southern Conference picks from last year. Dontaye Draper, a 5-11 senior guard averaged 18.5 points per game, earning first team All-Southern Conference honors last year. Sophomore Jermaine Johnson, a 6-7 forward, was the Southern Conference Freshmen of the Year, averaging 8.9 points per game and pulling down a team high 7.5 boards. Junior forward Josh Jackson (12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg) was a third team All-SoConn selection and will be looked to contribute again this season. 6-7 Senior David Lawrence (9.3 ppg, 7 rpg) will also provide early leadership on the court.

Toledo returns to the Paradise Jam coming off a 20-11 season and a loss in the MAC tournament championship game, which would have guaranteed them a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Rockets played in the 2002 Paradise Jam and were victorious over Kansas State, but lost to BYU and Virginia Tech. Guided by head coach Stan Joplin, Toledo hopes to boost this year’s RPI and their chances at an NCAA or NIT post-season appearance. Senior trio Justin Ingram, Koenta Howell and Florentino Valencia will lead the Rockets. Co-Captain Ingram (14.6 ppg,3.2 rpg, 1.9 spg), a 6-2 guard, was a 2nd team All-MAC selection and averaged 19.3 points per game in post season play, earning a spot on the MAC All-Tournament team. Fellow co-captain Keonta Howell (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) is a 6-4 guard who will also be expected to play a major role. Valencia, a 6-5 forward, lead the team in rebounds in the 2006 season with 4.4 rpg and averaged 12 points per game, emerging as the teams consistent low post threat. The other returning starter from last year’s squad is junior point guard Kashif Payne (8.4ppg, 4.3 apg) who will be looked at to run the offense.

Middle Tennessee completes the eight-team Paradise Jam field. After finishing the season 16-12 and losing only two starters, Middle Tennessee will look to a strong returning squad for some early season success. Head Coach Kermit Davis will expect to 6-4 senior guard Adam Vogelsberg, an All-Sun Belt selection to provide team leadership. Volesberg, who played most of the 2006 season through a shoulder injury, led the team in scoring at 12.4 points per game and was one of the most accurate 3-point field goal and free throw shooters in the Sun Belt last season. 6-10 senior Forward Kyle Young averaged 8.9 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Kevin Kanaskie is the son of Penn State associate head coach Kurt Kanaskie, formerly the head coach at Drake University. Kanaskie and sophomore Theryn Hudson combined for 21 starts as freshmen. When the duo started together in the final 10 games of the season the Blue Raiders were 8-2.

In 2005 Paradise Jam action Wisconsin defeated Old Dominion 84-81 to take home the Paradise Jam crown. Georgia beat Eastern Kentucky to take third place (76-68) and Fordham finished ahead of Norfolk State with a 72-53 win.

7/18/06
Brackets Announced for 2006 Paradise Jam Women’s Field

Eight Division I women’s basketball teams will take their game to the Caribbean to compete in the seventh annual U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam basketball tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas from Nov. 21-26, 2006. Rutgers, Arizona State, Western Kentucky, Penn State, Marquette, Xavier, Auburn, and Western Michigan will travel to St. Thomas to carry on the tradition of intense early season competition. Of the 2006 Paradise Jam field, five of the eight participants bring post-season momentum from last season, with two earning NCAA tournament berths and three others coming from the WNIT. To attest to the reputation of the Paradise Jam tournament, four of the eight 2006 participants are returning to the Paradise Jam. Two of the returnees, Rutgers (2004) and Arizona State (2001), will attempt to defend division championships earned during their previous visits.

The Paradise Jam consists of two separate 4-team tournaments. One is a Multiple Team Event (MTE) three-game round robin tournament called the "St. John" division and the other a two-game Counting event called the "St. Thomas" division. An MTE tournament counts as only two games against a team’s annual maximum of 29 games, despite playing three games at the tournament. Counting tournaments carry no restrictions as all games played count against a team’s schedule.

The 2006 St. Thomas Division boasts two NCAA participants from the 2005-06 season, Rutgers and Arizona State. Rounding out the St. Thomas division are Western Kentucky and Penn State. The St. Thomas division opens play at 7:00pm on November 24th as Arizona State takes on Western Kentucky. Penn State will face “Sweet Sixteen” participant Rutgers at 9:30pm. The winners will compete for the St. Thomas division crown on Nov. 25th at 9:30pm with the 3rd place game at 7:00 pm. All games are Atlantic Standard Time and will be played at the U.V.I. Sports and Fitness Center, the Caribbean’s premier basketball facility.

Rutgers returns to the Virgin Islands with post-season momentum after their second straight Big East championship and second straight year advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Rutgers posted a 27-5 record, culminating their season with a 3rd-round NCAA tournament loss to 2005 Paradise Jam champion Tennessee. Guided by head coach Vivian Stringer, Rutgers will be young again this year with no seniors and five freshmen. Stringer will look to All- American candidates Matee Ajavon, Essence Carson and Kia Vaughn. Ajavon, a 5-8 junior guard (12.6 ppg) led the Scarlet Knights in assists at 4.5 per game and steals at 2.6 per game. Ajavon, the Big East Freshman of the year in the 2004-05 season, was named to the All-Big East first team last year. Junior Forward Essence Carson (8.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was a second team All-Big East selection. Kia Vaughn (6.3ppg), a 6-4 sophomore center, led the Scarlet Knights in rebounding at 7 a game and in blocks per game (2.1). Rutgers’ incoming freshman class was ranked the second best in the nation and includes top-25 prospect Dee Dee Jernigan. In 2004, Rutgers earned the “St. John” division championship at the Paradise Jam where then-freshman Ajavon was named to the all-tournament team.

Arizona State is the second Paradise Jam champion returning to defend their title, claiming the St. John division championship in 2001. The Sun Devils team will return 10 players, including four of their five starters from the 2005-06 squad which tied the school record for wins with 25 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Sun Devils posted a 25-7 season and entered the NCAA tournament as a #4 seed, where they suffered a 2nd round loss to Utah. ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne will look to her four returning starters to be a big part of what should another record season. Returning seniors Emily Westerberg (10.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg) a 6-0 forward who started all 32 games for the Sun Devils; Jill Noe, a 5-10 guard who averaged 7.8 points per game; and Aubree Johnson (6.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a 6-2 forward will be relied upon for early season Sun Devil success. Returning junior Reagan Pariseau (4.9 ppg, 2.7 apg) started all 32 games last season.

Western Kentucky enters the Paradise Jam after claiming their fourth straight Sun Belt East Division championship with a 12-2 league record. The Lady Toppers finished the 2005-06 season with a 27-7 record and advanced to the semifinals of the WNIT for the first time in school history, falling by one point in overtime to eventual tournament champion Kansas State. Head coach Mary Taylor Cowles was named the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in four seasons. Junior Crystal Kelly (20.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg), who was named to the all-Sun Belt Conference (SBC) first team, will be the WKU player to watch in the islands. Kelly became the fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 51 games. As she enters her junior year, she has already scored 1,266 points and will look to build on that record at the Paradise Jam. Fellow returning starters junior forward Charlotte Marshall (7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and senior guard Tiffany Zaragoza (6.9 ppg) will also be looked to for early success in St. Thomas.

Penn State (13-16), rounds out the St. Thomas division, returning to the Virgin Islands after a six year absence. The Lady Lions competed in the inaugural 2000 Paradise Jam. Eight players return for the 2006-2007 season including all five starters. Junior forward Amanda Brown returns as the most heralded Lady Lion. earning second team All-Big Ten honors and started all 29 games last year. Brown is one of only two Big Ten players to be in the top ten in scoring (15.6 ppg), rebounds (7.3 rpg), field goal percentage (.593) and blocks (1.9 bpg). Another returning starter who will play a big role early on is 6-1 junior guard Kam Gissendanner. Gissendanner, who received All-Big Ten honorable mention honors, averaged 14.6 points per game. Big Ten All-Freshman team member Brianne O’Rourke (7.8 ppg, 5.14 apg) led the conference in assists. The Lady Lions are coached by head coach Rene Portland (591-220), who returns for her 27th year at the helm of Penn State women’s basketball.

The “St. John” division is a three-game round robin tournament that includes two Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) participants in Marquette and Xavier. Auburn and Western Michigan complete this field. The tournament opens on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd at 4:00pm with Western Michigan playing Marquette, followed by the 6:30pm game where Auburn will battle Xavier. Games continue on November 24th with Marquette and Auburn at 2:00pm and Xavier and Western Michigan at 4:30pm. The remaining match ups will conclude on November 25th at 2:00pm (Western Michigan v. Auburn) and 4:30pm (Marquette v. Xavier).

Marquette is coming off a successful season in which the blue and gold compiled a 22-11 overall record, and a 9-7 mark in its first season in Big East Conference play. The 22 wins ties the school record for most in a single-season, capped by an impressive run through the Women's National Invitation Tournament and into the championship game. The Golden Eagles dropped a 77-65 decision at Kansas State on March 31 in the WNIT title contest. Coach Terri Mitchell returns four starters from last year’s successful squad. 6-2 senior forward Christina Quaye (13.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 6-1 senior forward Jasmine McCullough (9.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and 5-9 sophomore guard Krystal Ellis (10.7ppg) will all be looked to for leadership in preseason action.

Xavier finished the 2005-2006 campaign with a 21-9 record and advanced to the second round of the WNIT. Although coach Kevin McGuff loses All-American and all time leading scorer Tara Boothe, Xavier boasts one of the most experienced backcourts in the league with the return of seniors Suntana Granderson (14.9 ppg), point guard Miranda Green (9.4 ppg, 3.4 apg), and Michelle Miller (9.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg). An All-Atlantic 10 first team selection, Granderson scored over 20 points on seven occasions. Joining last year’s squad will be a 10th ranked recruiting class of six freshmen, including Amber Harris who was rated the No. 1 overall recruit by “Blue Star Index.” The Xavier women are looking for a third consecutive 20-win season.

Auburn arrives in paradise slightly more experienced than last seasons 14-15 finish, as they return three freshman starters from last season. DeWanna Bonner and KeKe Carrier who were named to the SEC All-Freshman team and Whitney Boddie (7.5 ppg) was the team's starting point guard most of the season. Bonner and Carrier were both named to the U20 national trails roster, as the duo started for the Tigers as rookies. Bonner, led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game and Carrier, a 6-7 center was third in scoring for Auburn with 9.1 points per game, 5.0 rebounds and 42 blocks on the year. The Tigers will add five newcomers including two junior college transfers to the 2006-07 roster. 3rd year head Coach Nell Fortner leads the Auburn Tigers.

Western Michigan is the other repeat team to the Virgin Islands from the St. John division, participating in the 2001 Paradise Jam. Guided by head coach Ron Stewart, the Broncos hope to start the season off well and improve on the 14-14 finish from last year. Stewart will look to returning starters Carrie Moore and Lindsey Brown. Moore a 5-9 senior guard earned First Team All-MAC accolades for the second time in her career (2005, 2006) and she was also tabbed pre-season All-MAC for the 2006-07 season. Moore was second on the team in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game and grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game. Fellow senior power forward Lindsey Brown (6-2) added 14.7 points per game and 7.3 rebounds last season.

Since its inception seven years ago, the Paradise Jam has always been one of the most competitive early season collegiate basketball tournaments in the nation. Tournament champions have never failed to earn berths to the NCAA post-season tournament, with several teams making it as far as the Final Four. The 2005 field boasted the most impressive collection of women’s teams that the Paradise Jam had ever seen. Minnesota dominated the St.John division while Tennessee took home the St. Thomas division crown over Maryland. Three of the four teams from the 2005 St. John division advanced at least as far as the Sweet 16. The most notable accomplishment was the Maryland Terrapins winning the 2006 NCAA National Championship, becoming the first Paradise Jam participant to claim the title of national champion in the same season. Ironically Maryland did not earn the Paradise Jam championship, narrowly losing to the Tennessee Lady Vols in the game’s final seconds.

5/24/06
5 New Hosts Added for Basketball Travelers Classics Tournaments

Iowa State and Washington are the latest additions to host a men’s Basketball Travelers Classic, joining BYU, Old Dominion, Fresno State and Oregon. In addition, three women’s teams have contracted to host a Basketball Travelers Classic tournament. Louisiana State, Texas and Maryland women bump the entire 2006 BTI Classic tournament numbers to nine. Basketball Travelers Classics utilize the NCAA’s new Multiple Team Event (MTE) concept, which replaced the old system of “exempt” tournaments. A team may play in one MTE every year as opposed to the previous 2-in-4 rule. Host teams invite three other teams to join them for a three-game, round-robin event. Generous guarantees are generally offered to participating schools. Both the host and the participants can utilize options to roll their fees or guarantees into future participation in foreign tours or warm-weather tournaments such as the Paradise Jam. No additional Basketball Travelers Classic tournaments will be added for 2006, but host and participant opportunities are already booking up for 2007.

3/30/06
Four Teams Earn NCAA Tournament Berths from 2006 Paradise Jam Field

Four of the eight teams in the 2006 Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands earned berths in the NCAA tournament this spring. Iowa and Xavier both lost in the first round, Alabama made it two rounds and Villanova survived all the way to the Elite Eight. Iowa and Alabama will participate in the Paradise Jam only if the 2-in-4 rule is rescinded in April. The previous three Paradise Jam champions, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Boston College, also earned berths in the 2006 NCAA tournament. Although Wisconsin and Arkansas both bowed out in the first round of play, Boston College advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.

For more information on the Paradise Jam, go to ParadiseJam.com.

3/30/06
BYU, ODU, Oregon, Fresno State to Host Basketball Travelers Classics

BYU, Old Dominion, Oregon and Fresno State have all recently contracted to host a Basketball Travelers Classic tournament during the upcoming 2006-07 season. The Basketball Travelers Classics are BTI’s newest tournament innovation, offering expanded options to teams looking to host or participate in a certified tournament. The BTI Classic concept employs a 3-for-1 tournament model based on a host school and three other tournament participants competing in a round-robin format. Both the host and the participants can utilize options to roll their fees or earnings into future participation in foreign tours or warm-weather tournaments such as the Paradise Jam. Generous guarantees are offered to participating schools.

3/6/06
Basketball Travelers Celebrates 20th Anniversary

On March 6, 2006, the staff of Basketball Travelers, Inc. celebrated the company’s 20th anniversary of incorporation. To think Basketball Travelers Inc. started twenty years ago with two guys that simply wanted to travel to Europe for free!

Back in 1985, Nels Hawkinson and Neal Holden longed to return to Europe. Both had finished their playing careers just three years earlier, competing for professional teams in Oslo, Norway. Nels then became the head women’s coach at Seattle Pacific University and Neal a systems analyst for Weyerhaeuser. Sadly, there were no European travel plans in sight. Then the idea formed . . . what if they took American college teams over to Europe to play, and in return got to travel with the team for free? In March 1986, Basketball Travelers was incorporated and three months later Hawkinson was on his way to Europe with their first client, the Pac-Ten All Stars coached by Ralph Miller.

While that first tour netted just $18.00, Hawkinson and Holden were well on their way to a successful business model based upon integrity, experience and customer satisfaction. Most of all, they both shared a strong desire to glorify the Lord in all their business dealings. In the past twenty years the company has serviced over 2000 teams that have participated in foreign tours, exhibition games, and tournaments. 261 American teams have traveled to 35 different countries via Basketball Travelers tours. 396 foreign teams have represented 43 different countries, playing in a total of 3,192 U.S. November exhibition games. To service this amount of business, seven other employees and two additional partners, Craig and Jeff Jonas, now assist founders Hawkinson and Holden.

From their modest beginning, Hawkinson and Holden probably didn’t imagine their simple dream to travel would culminate in television contracts and dealings with such prestigious programs as Duke, North Carolina, Tennessee and Connecticut, to name just a few. After twenty years, Basketball Travelers, Inc. has developed into a company that positively impacts and serves the basketball community in a way their founders could never have imagined or planned.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

1/10/06
BYU, UNLV Team Up with BTI to Offer New Tourneys

BYU and UNLV men’s basketball programs will team up with Basketball Travelers, Inc. to offer two new exempt tournaments in December 2006. The Basketball Travelers Classic at BYU will be held Dec. 28-30 in Provo, Utah. BYU will host three other schools in the 3-for-1 round-robin certified event.

UNLV will host the Duel in the Desert tournament Dec. 17-19, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament will also be a 3-for-1 round-robin certified event with four teams participating. To date, Texas A & M-Corpus Christi and Norfolk State have joined UNLV as inaugural tournament participants, with one additional team to be announced.

For information on participation in the tournaments or hosting future tournaments,
call Nels Hawkinson at 425-776-2775.

1/09/06
Latest News on NCAA 2-in-4 Ruling

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1/06/06
Paradise Jam, Top of the World Announce Tournament Fields

The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, held in St. Thomas U.S.V.I. Nov. 16-21, filled the 2006 men’s field in record time. Villanova, Xavier, Middle Tennessee State, College of Charleston and Virginia Commonwealth comprise the 6-team field, which will also include Iowa and a team TBA should the NCAA’s 2-in-4 rule be defeated in April. The certified women’s Paradise Jam field has also been filled. Teams include Auburn, Marquette, Xavier and Western Michigan in the 3-game round robin tournament held Nov. 21-26. Arizona State and Penn State will be joined by two teams TBA in the women’s 2-game non-certified event held over the same dates.

The BP Top of the World Classic, presented by University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nov. 16-20, will be joined in 2006 by Southeast Missouri State, Weber State, Centenary, Rhode Island, Utah State, Troy, and Drake in the 11th annual tournament event.

1/03/06
Fourteen Champions Crowned for 2005 BTI College Tournaments

In November and December of 2005, Basketball Travelers, Inc. coordinated twelve Division I and two Division III men’s and women’s tournaments across the nation and the Caribbean. Some of the nation’s top teams showcased their talent with impressive early-season efforts. Tournament placings are as follows:

MEN:
U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (St. Thomas, USVI) Nov. 2005
CHAMPION: Wisconsin (followed by Old Dominion, Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Fordham, Norfolk State)
MVP: Alando Tucker, Wisconsin

BP Top of the World Classic (Fairbanks, Alaska) Nov. 2005
(Presented by University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
CHAMPION: Denver (followed by Illinois-Chicago, San Diego State, Univ. Alaska-Fairbanks, Southern. Mississippi, Kennesaw State, Lamar, Montana State)
MVP: Yemi Nicholson, Denver

Division III Cactus Jam (Tempe, Arizona) Dec. 2005
CHAMPION: Ramapo (followed by Biola, Linfield, Pacific Lutheran, Elmira College, Washington Jefferson)
MVP: Todd Lowbar, Ramapo

WOMEN:
U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (St. Thomas, USVI) Nov. 2005
ST. JOHN DIV. CHAMPION: Tennessee (followed by Maryland, Michigan State, Gonzaga)
MVP: Candace Parker, Tennessee

U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (St. Thomas, USVI) Nov. 2005
ST. THOMAS DIV. CHAMPION: Minnesota (followed by Virginia, Alabama, Nevada
MVP: Jamie Broback, Minnesota

Junkanoo Jam (Freeport, Grand Bahama Island) Nov. 2005
LUCAYA DIV. CHAMPION: Texas (followed by George Washington, Purdue, S. Carolina)
MVP: Tiffany Jackson, Texas

Junkanoo Jam (Freeport, Grand Bahama Island) Nov. 2005
FREEPORT DIV. CHAMPION: Rutgers (followed by North Carolina State, Iowa State, North Florida)
MVP: Cappie Pondexter

Surf ‘N Slam (San Diego, California) Dec. 2005
TORRERO DIV. CHAMPION: Duke (followed by San Diego, St. Johns, Montana State
MVP: Monique Currie, Duke

Surf ‘N Slam (San Diego, California) Dec. 2005
AZTEC DIV. CHAMPION: Auburn (followed by Loyola, San Diego State, U.C. Davis)
MVP: DeWanna Bonner, Auburn

Div. III/Small College Surf ‘N Slam (San Diego, California) Dec. 2005
CHAMPION: Point Loma Nazarene (followed by Millikin, Messiah, St. Norbert, UW Stout, Tufts)
MVP: Mica DeHoog, Point Loma Nazarene

Duel in the Desert (Las Vegas, Nevada) Dec. 2005
SCARLET DIV. CHAMPION: Texas A & M (followed by UNLV, Detroit Mercy, Jackson State)
MVP: Tamea Scales, Texas A & M

Duel in the Desert (Las Vegas, Nevada) Dec. 2005
GREY DIV. CHAMPION: Notre Dame (followed by Utah, North Carolina State, Arkansas State)
MVP: Melissa D’Amico, Notre Dame

WBCA Classic (Tempe, Arizona) Nov. 2005
CHAMPION: Arizona State (followed by Missouri, Vanderbilt, Clemson)
MVP: Kristen Kovesdy, Arizona State

Women’s Sports Foundation (Eugene, Oregon) Nov. 2005
CHAMPION: Temple (followed by Oregon, Michigan, St. Francis)
MVP: Candice Dupree, Temple