By Staff
This is one in a series of stories highlighting the competitions that make up The State Games of Mississippi. The State Games are set for June 18-20 and June 24-27 in Meridian.
By Will Bardwell/staff writer
May 22, 2004
Be sure to bring bananas.
The State Games adult basketball tournament will take place June 19-20 at Meridian High School, packing as many as five games per team into the fast-paced two-day tournament.
The tournament usually features about 10 teams, according to Henry, who hopes the event will be bigger this year.
The double-elimination tournament, which does not feature day-of-event entry, consists of three age groups women 18 and over, men 18 and over, and men 35 and over. Each age category is broken up into a fast-break division and a slow-break division.
Henry said spectators are welcome at the MHS gym for no admission fee.
Another draw is an occasional famous face in the field. Henry said college basketball players from around Mississippi regularly participate in the State Games, as Mississippi State's Dietric Slater did during last year's tournament. At the time, Slater was awaiting the start of his freshman year in Starkville, but youth didn't hurt his performance.
Founding Gold Sponsors of The State Games of Mississippi an Olympics-style sports festival are Rush Foundation Hospital and Meridian's Coca-Cola, while Gold Sponsors are The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, The Partnership For a Healthy Mississippi, Bell South and Meridian Airport Authority.
For event applications or schedules call 1-800-462-0205 or visit the State Games of Mississippi website at www.stategamesofms.org.