-Gatorade Championship Series of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA in Cleveland, OH!!

The 2008 Gatorade Championship Series of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA made its 13th stop in Cleveland, OH on Sunday, March 30th. The Cleveland area is one (1) of fourteen (14) cities hosting this Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Gatorade Tournament. The Gatorade Championship Series Tournaments have already taken place in Atlanta, Houston, Toronto, New York, Portland, Golden State, San Antonio, Denver, Charlotte, Orlando, Washington D.C., and Chicago. This month, Los Angeles will also host a Gatorade Tournament.

Local Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members in Cleveland were invited to participate in this special, end of season tournament for the area’s elite youth basketball players. Participating Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members included Canton Area YMCA, Sandusky Area YMCA, B&GC of Lorain County, Euclid Panther Hoops, City of Middleburg Heights, Shaker Heights Community Recreation, B&GC of Cleveland, Hoops for Youth, The National Basketball Academy and Next Level Basketball. Each team was guaranteed at least 2 games in this double elimination, 16 team (8 boys and 8 girls) tournament.

In the boys division, the ‘Panthers’ from Euclid Panther Hoops defeated the 2007 Tournament Champions from Sandusky Area YMCA. Both teams played extremely well, but it was the ‘Panthers’ who went home with the hardware.

In the girls division, Next Level Basketball defeated Hoops for Youth, and won their 2nd consecutive Championship title. Next Level proved to be the powerhouse throughout the tournament and walked away with the Championship title.

In the consolation brackets, Shaker Heights took home the boy’s consolation championship and The National Basketball Academy won the girl’s consolation bracket.

A special ‘THANKS’ to the Cleveland Cavaliers for their support and for providing Cavs hats, notebooks, pencils, stickers and ID Bands to all participants.