THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 4, 1996 TAG: 9605040525
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Firing squads will be all over the Naval Station this weekend: the Sharp Shooters, Swat Team, Gunners, and Bulls-Eye. But most of these shooters have no affiliation to the military.
These groups are among the 600-plus teams competing on 54 courts in the 5th annual Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 tournament.
There are six different classifications: Top Gun (college playing experience or better); Competitive (better than average performers); Recreational (people who just enjoy playing basketball); Couch Potato (people with very little basketball skills); Young Gun (children 17-and-below; usually no younger than 10); and Older-than-dirt (40 and over).
Unlike the other brackets, the Top Gun games will be officiated by referees because of the competitive nature.
As of early this week, tournament director Tracy Halman was expecting teams from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.
Among the teams of notable interest are Team Bojangles and Soft Touch 4 - both Top Gun competitors. Bojangles, with four former professional players, is a three-time winner of the tournament. Soft Touch won last year's championship.
In addition to the 3-on-3 games, the tournament also provides skill competitions.
This year there are four skill competitions throughout the weekend: the Nike 10-foot slam jam, the 9-foot jam, the AT&T shootout and the Jordan Experience, an interactive game comparing players to the Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan.
The tournament benefits the Moral, Welfare and Recreation Department, the Navy's version of Parks and Recreation. MEMO: WANT TO GO?
What: Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 tournament.
When: Today and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m.
Where: Norfolk Naval Station.
Admission: Free. by CNB