The 2006 Gatorade Championship Series of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA took place in Los Angeles at Venice Beach Recreation on Saturday, April 22nd. Los Angeles is one of ten cities hosting this Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Gatorade Tournament. This was one of the last stops on the tournament tour across the country over the past 4 months. Gatorade Championship Series Tournaments took place in local Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA markets in Cleveland, San Antonio, Denver, Atlanta, Golden State, Orlando, New York, Chicago, and Houston.

This year, we had a special appearance from Sparks Forward, Mwadi Mabika. Mabika is from Congo and has played with the Sparks during her entire career and celebrating her 10th year with the team this season. She was on hand to sign autographs, take photos, and help distribute the awards to the championship teams. The Sparks also handed out many prizes and giveaways to players and fans, which included a raffle. The Los Angeles Lakers also provided each of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA participants with a Reading & Learning folder.



Participating Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members included Pan Pacific Recreation Center, Victory Vineland Recreation Center, Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, St. Andrews Recreation Center, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, Mar Vista Recreation Center, Bogdonovich Recreation Center, People Coordinated Services of Southern California, North Valley Youth Basketball League, Golden State HEAT, Double Rock Baptist Church, Boys & Girls Club of Venice, Boys & Girls Club of Echo Park, and the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles.

It was a tough championship bracket on the girls’ side. However, the Golden State HEAT proved to be the powerhouse. They brought home the championship with a win over a tough squad at Bogdonovich Recreation. Pan Pacific Recreation fought their way through the boys’ championship bracket to win the boys’ championship trophy.



In the consolation brackets, Victory Recreation took home the boys’ consolation championship and Pan Pacific Recreation took home the girls’ consolation championship.