The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is pleased to announce that four of its public high school male varsity basketball teams will be traveling to Florida today to participate in the 2nd Annual Spring Varsity Showcase Tournament. Hosted by TK Sports Club, Inc., the tournament will take place at Milwee Middle School, located at 1341 S Ronald Reagan Blvd in Longwood, Florida. This three-day tournament kicks off on Friday, March 8th, with the Championship game slated for Sunday, March 10th.
The VIDE extends heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors whose generous support has made it possible for the four teams to travel and compete in this tournament. Special thanks go out to VI Lottery, Southland Gaming, Discover Fund, Wharfside Village Hotel-St. John, United Sporting Goods-St. Croix, King Christian Hotel, VIGL, Tropico-STX, Kyle Sexius, Centi, Quart VI, Petrus Company, VI Port Authority, and ViVid Streaming.
The Spring Varsity Showcase is a significant event that brings together high school student-athletes from the U.S. Virgin Islands to demonstrate their basketball talents. With growing global interest, the tournament now attracts top schools, including Division 2 and 3 programs. Beyond showcasing skills, the event promotes sportsmanship, camaraderie, and healthy competition among USVI student-athletes, providing an invaluable platform for national exposure.
This trip offers more than just tournament participation. Student-athletes will engage in academics and athletics by visiting a college and attending a collegiate game featuring the University of Central Florida and the Houston Cougars on Wednesday, March 6, 2023. Notably, this game will feature Jwan Roberts, a homegrown athlete and senior at the University of Houston, who is set to be a starter and a prospective NBA draft pick. Before the game, Jwan will meet with the student-athletes to share motivational insights and experiences.
The Houston Cougars Head Coach, Mr. Kelvin Sampson, has generously provided 100 tickets for USVI student-athletes to attend the college game. Mr. Sampson, who coached Mr. Donald Bough at the University of Michigan State, has a special connection with the USVI. Mr. Bough, presently a teacher at the John H. Woodson Jr. High School and Head Coach of the Central Female Varsity Basketball Team, also serves as Assistant Coach for the Central Male Varsity Basketball Team.
The four participating schools include Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (IEKHS) from St. Thomas, and Educational Complex High (SCEC) School and Central High School (CHS) from St. Croix.
Competing in Division A of the Tournament are CAHS, Deland High School, CHS, and BCAT School. Teams in the B Division include SCEC, Lake Howell High School, IEKHS, and Seabreeze School. The VIDE will be live streaming the games on its Facebook page.
The VIDE expresses gratitude to parents, guardians, coaches, school personnel, administrators, and VIDE staff whose dedication has made this tournament opportunity possible. If you are in Orlando, Tampa, Longwood, or surrounding areas, we encourage you to attend the tournament and support our student-athletes. Stay tuned to official VIDE platforms for updates on the tournament.
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