MEDIA RELEASE

July 13, 2011 - The greater Augusta area is alive with sporting events this week, as more than 4,000 athletes and fans will visit the area for competition. Together, these events are expected to generate more than $2.5 million in economic impact for the community.

The Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Finals at Nike Peach Jam, currently underway at Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta plays hosts to the top 24 EYBL teams. Competition continues through Friday, when the championship game, scheduled for 7:00 pm, will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

The Lineage of Champions Peach State Summer Showcase welcomes 150 AAU travel basketball teams from July 12-15. The showcase will feature 150 teams at venues throughout the area, including Augusta State University, USC Aiken, Augusta Prep, Augusta Christian, Patriots Park, Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier Middle School, Thomson High School and Thomson Middle School.

In other sports, the Aiken-Augusta Swim League hosts the 2011 Georgia Age Group Long Course State Championship swim meet on July 14-17, 2011 at the Augusta Aquatic Center. More than 750 swimmers from all over Georgia, ages 14 years old and younger, will be participating in this pinnacle swim meet for swimmers in the state who have obtained very competitive qualifying times in various swimming events earlier in the season. 

The Harlem Globetrotters, who have contributed more innovations to the game of basketball than any other team in history, will implement the first-ever 4-point shot as part of all of its games on the team’s 2011 “4 Times the Fun” North American tour. The 2011 tour marks the team’s record 85th season of touring.

Throughout the 2011 North American tour, every Globetrotters game will now feature two designated 4-point shooting spots on each side of midcourt, each located 35 feet from the basket (the spots are 12 feet beyond the NBA’s official 3-point line). The 4-point option is expected to further open up the playing floor for the Globetrotters as well as their opponents, the Generals, and is expected to generate even more high-scoring action and competitive play.

The Globetrotters will visit Augusta's James Brown Arena for an exclusive one-night engagement, Friday, March 11, 2011. For complete event and ticket information, visit www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

The Original Harlem Globetrotters continue a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades.

Fun in the Sun - Cal Ripken Regional  

Check out the talent in youth baseball this weekend at the Cal Ripken Regional Tournament at North Augusta Riverview Park. The tournament for 10-year-old squads begins Thursday and continues through August 3. The format is double-elimination with the winner advancing to the World Series! 

Championship teams from Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina, southern and northern Florida, eastern and western North Carolina and eastern and western Tennessee are expected to compete. North Augusta’s first game will start on Thursday at 8 p.m. against Western Tennessee. All other opening games will also start on Thursday at 5 p.m. with the opening ceremonies following.

Admission for each session is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Tournament passes are also available at $25 for adults and $15 for students.  

Beat the Heat- Girl’s Basketball

Elite girls basketball will be showcased this weekend at Augusta State University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse and North Augusta's Riverview Park Activities Center.

At Christenberry Fieldhouse, the JumpOffPlus.com Elite 24 Summer Jam is underway. The invitation-only tournament is loaded with talent, including our own Georgia Ice, coming off a championship at the Basketball on the Bayou tournament in New Orleans. The Summer Jam wraps up Thursday with the finals of the 15U and 16U divisions being played simultaneously at 2:50 p.m.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for anyone with a student ID.

Over at Riverview Park, the Nike Nationals feature 35 elite youth teams from across the country.  This tournament is invitation-only and will feature over 30 teams. The 16U championship will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 per session.