 We have a team outside Washington state and would like to travel your way for some tournaments this year. Any particular tournaments you like or would recommend to us?
Hoops Coach
Dear Coach:
Our team has some favorite tournaments, and there are others I have seen rave reviews about, even though our schedule didn’t allow us to compete in them. Here are my recommendations:
The Thunder Mountain Classic in Enumclaw. This year scheduled for Dec. 6-7, open to 5th, 6th and 7th grade girls. The price can’t be beat – $175 with a four-game guarantee – but even better, this tournament was well organized with good officiating and facilities. Info at www.StormBball.com, or contact Bob Price at bphouse@msn.com.
The Ferndale Jam in Ferndale, held on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend – this year Jan. 17-19 – for girls in grades 5-8. The $200 entry fee includes a T-shirt for all participants and a four-game guarantee. We enjoyed the hospitality of the Ferndale folks, and the tournament was also very well run. Contact Ron Dahl, 360-384-0034 or ronalddahl@earthlink.net
The Sonics-HoopGurlz.com Challenge, this year Feb. 13-15, 2004, at the Furtado Center, the Sonics and Storm practice facility in Seattle. I have heard nothing but high praise for this tournament, open to 6th-8th grade girls. It is a top-tier event that draws teams from throughout the Northwest and California. The fee, to be announced, includes Sonics tickets for all teams and special Husky women’s basketball game seating to winners. Contact Glenn Nelson at HoopGurlz@comcast.net or visit www.HoopGurlz.com for more details.
Visit the spectacular blooming tulip fields between games during the 12th Annual Tulip Basketball Tournament, March 26-38, in Mount Vernon, Wash. For girls in 5th-8th grade, the fee is a reasonable $175. I have not been to this tourney – just heard good things from others. Contact Tony Tewalt at 360-336-9339 or email: parksrec@co.skagit.wa.us
The 18th Annual Pacific Northwest AAU finals, May 7-9, 2004, in Yakima. Any girls’ team from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana or Utah, grades 2nd-high school, may participate in this tournament. Best of all, unlike the AAU regional qualifying tournaments where the teams with the oldest players have an advantage, it’s organized by grade level rather than by age. We enjoyed competing against teams from other states as well as those from Eastern Washington, and also appreciated the well-organized tournament and the awesome trophies and certificates each girl received. A word of warning – reserve your hotel rooms early, as they book up fast for this weekend. Contact Paul R. Campbell, 509-453-2696 or paul@yvn.com
One final note: there are many other good tournaments sponsored by Hoops Northwest and the Northwest Select Basketball Association in the Puget Sound area nearly every weekend through next summer. For a complete list of all tournaments, go to the www.HoopGurlz.com site and click on the tournaments link.
Hoop Mom
Teresa Wippel is team manager of the Warriors Basketball Club, a 6th Grade
girls' team from the Seattle area, and mom to Warriors post player Amanda
Waldron. In her other life, she is a freelance writer and editor. To ask Teresa a question, email her at teresawippel@earthlink.net
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