PHILIPSBURG: -- After successfully organizing a U18 National Qualifier and a positive showing for St. Maarten at the first ever Antilles 3x3 Championships Final in February on St. Lucia - the Island Hoops Foundation will be launching a 3x3 League. The League will comprise of monthly mini-tournaments that will take place on Saturdays, twice monthly.
The League comes in response to the international craze that organized 3-on-3 basketball has become – a craze spearheaded by FIBA, itself. “3x3 basketball makes perfect sense for St. Maarten as it is more commonly played than the 5-on-5 format. Not only that, FIBA has devised a way to provide smaller countries such as ours with the opportunity to compete on the world stage - which till now - has simply not been possible”, says Paul Bell – Coordinator of 3x3 Basketball.
In preparation for 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia – a 3x3 national team selection must be made by June 2017 for training camps, both on and off island. Additionally, the winner of the U23 and 24+ joint tournaments will represent St. Maarten in the inaugural inter-island 3x3 league that is scheduled to kick off in early 2018.
As for the junior divisions, The League will be a great tune-up for the next U18 National Qualifier tournament taking place in October 2017.
The League, starting May 6th is open to anyone, male and female, in the follow age divisions:
• U15 (born Jan. 1, 2003 till Dec. 31, 2005)
• U18 (born Jan. 1, 2000 till Dec. 31, 2002)
• U23 (born Jan. 1, 1994 till Dec. 31, 1999)
• 24+ (born before Jan.1, 1994)
To sign up, contact Paul Bell at 526-1121.
