Holiday hoops: Sixers, WSR in the mix

Two teams are out and two teams are in, as the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs finalized the list of participating teams in the inaugural Christmas Basketball Tournament.

DCCA’s John Reyes said Ol’Aces and Sparks failed to beat the Friday deadline for the $50 entry fee and will just have to serve as spectators in the three-day tournament.

In contrast, the Saipan Sixers and a team from William S. Reyes Elementary School made their entry fee payment promptly, according to Reyes.

The two new teams now join Garapan Rollers, Kagman Cougars, Hopwood Junior High School, 69ers, Tanapag Young Warriors, and a team from Saipan’s southern neighbor, Tinian, in the round-ball competition.

The 2004 Christmas Basketball Tournament runs from Monday, Dec. 27, through Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

DCCA has divided the eight teams to two pools. Pool A will have Tinian, Hopwood, and Tanapag squaring it off, while Pool B will have Kagman Cougars, 69ers, and G-Rollers, trying to snuff each other out.

Sparks and Ol’Aces were originally grouped in Pool A and Pool B, respectively, and it’s still unconfirmed where newcomers Sixers and WSR will be placed.

The first two days of the competition, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, will serve as the elimination round of the tournament, where the Top 2 teams from each pool advance to the crossover semifinals. The winners of the Final Four then duke it out for the championship on Dec. 29.

The 2004 Christmas Basketball Tournament is open to 14-and-under basketball players and their teams. Eligible players are those not turning 15 years old before the Dec. 27 kick-off date.

Tournament director Jonathan Tenorio said DCCA would allow players turning 15 years old during the competition to see action in the tournament.

Aside from getting plenty of exercise to burn off calories gained during the Christmas Eve feast, the DCCA said the Top 3 teams would also get trophies and possibly cash prizes for their hard work.

Tenorio said team rosters will be limited to a maximum of 15 players and the coaches and managers are requested to submit their rosters as soon as possible. Identification forms to crosscheck the ages of players will also be required by DCCA, said Tenorio, who will be assisted by tournament consultant Joe Lizama.

For more information about the 2004 Christmas Basketball Tournament, please contact Tenorio over at DCCA Division of Recreation and Sports by calling 664-2503/8.