ABAC TO HOST STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT MARCH 5-8

The 16 best two-year college basketball teams in Georgia will meet on the campus of Abraham Baldwin College on March 5-8 for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII tournament.

ABAC Coach Robert Moore said the top eight teams from the regular season standings will begin play on the men’s side of the tournament on March 5. Games will be held at 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m. As the host team, the Golden Stallions of ABAC will play in the 8 p.m. game.

“This should be a great tournament,” Moore said. “We have the best teams, and I think some of the best individual players in all of college basketball in Georgia.”

ABAC Coach Julie Conner said the women’s teams will play on March 6 at 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m. Her Golden Fillies are the defending state champions and will begin their title defense at 8 p.m. on that day.

“Winning the state tournament last year was such a big thrill for us,” Conner said. “I’m just looking forward to bringing the state tournament atmosphere here to Gressette Gym and giving all our great fans a chance to see these teams compete against each other at one site.”

Women’s semifinal games will be held March 7 at 2 and 6 p.m. Men’s semifinal games will be held March 7 at 4 and 8 p.m. The women’s championship will be held March 8 at 5:30 p.m., and the men’s title game will be at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be available at Gressette Gym on the day of the games at a cost of $6 per day (no re-entry) or $20 for a tournament pass which allows re-entry on all four days.

“The $20 pass is the best bargain because basketball fans can come and go as they please during the four days of the tournament,” Conner said. “We have 14 games in four days, and that’s a lot of basketball.”

ABAC hosted the men’s tournament in 1982 and hosted the women’s tournament in 1984. Tournament champions will advance to the NJCAA national tournament. For more information on the tournament, contact Moore at (229) 386-3932 or Conner at (229) 386-3927.

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