what brought them together in the first place: faith and basketball.
"It's a fun event but our main goal is to promote a high level of basketball while staying true to our core beliefs of family, faith and sportsmanship,” said Luke McDonald, director of media and marketing for the tournament. McDonald said this is Oklahoma City's seventh consecutive year to host the tournament. He said the event has drawn 300 teams from 32 states, including as far away as Alaska. He said about 10,000 people are in Oklahoma City to view the basketball games. About 3,300 players and their coaches are making sure their fans get what they came for as they watch their favorite teams compete.
Tim Flatt, tournament director and coach of the Oklahoma City Storm, said the championships are going well since play began Monday. The competition is broken into five age divisions. "It's the premiere event for homeschool sports. It's just been a real service and ministry to homeschool families,” Flatt said.
Danny Ramsey of Nashville, Tenn., said he brought his family to watch his daughter Kylie, 12, play hoops. He said the family had hoped to have a nice stay and see great basketball games and they have not been disappointed.
"Hospitality has been outstanding. Obviously a lot of volunteers, a lot of effort has gone into it,” he said.
Janet Bradford and Terri Ward sat in the bleachers during a recent boy's varsity game between the Oklahoma City Storm and Springfield, Mo., Knights at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. Bradford said she is glad her son Jordan, a Storm player, participates in the tournament.
"It's the Christian atmosphere,” the Norman woman said. "You go into any gym and that's what you'll find — that wonderful Christian atmosphere. What a blessing to have something of this magnitude right in Oklahoma City.” The teams praying together before each game sets the tone, she said. "It's just precious to see.” She said character development is an integral part of the event. "We want these kids to exemplify Christ on and off the court,” she said.
Ward, whose daughters Meagan, Laura and Lorna are playing the tournament, said each team will present an award to the player who best demonstrated Christ-like character throughout the tournament, and each division will honor a team for the same reason. Ward said the tournament's faith-filled spirit continues with the nights of praise and worship at the tournament convention center, the Clarion Hotel, 737 S Meridian. The sessions continue at 9:45 p.m. tonight and Friday with Christian contemporary recording artist Dennis Jernigan. Springfield, Mo., players Cameron McCurdy, 14, and A.J. Jenanian, 11, said they are enjoying the tournament and the metro area. "It's been pretty good. We're staying in the same hotel we did last year and everything is good,” said McCurdy. He said the before-game prayer helps players focus on good sportsmanship. "It reduces the risk of fighting or foul language,” he said. "I just love to play basketball and I came to play.”
|
