Area standouts playing in Gulf South Basketball Championship
Seven former students from area high schools will return to Birmingham next week to play in the Raymond James Gulf South Conference (GSC) Basketball Championship at Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center.
The tournament, which begins March 7 at Samford University, will stretch over four days and include 14 games – seven between men’s teams and seven between women’s.
Returning to the area are three students who played at Oak Mountain High School, three from Hoover High and one from Briarwood Christian School. Six of the seven are playing for University of Alabama-Hunstville (UAH).
Mens players are:
- Garrett Cosgrove. Forward. UAH freshman. Oak Mountain High School. Cosgrove played in 19 games this season, logging 150 minutes and averaging 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
- Ronnie Mack. Guard. UAH sophomore. Oak Mountain High School. Leads conference in three-point percentage (48.9) and three pointers (65).
- Jaime Smith. Guard. UAH senior. Hoover High School. Leads conference in assists (113) and free throw percentage (88.3); second in three-pointers (62); third in scoring (17.9) and three-point percentage (39.7).
- Jason Laatsch. Guard. University of West Florida freshman. Briarwood Christian School. Played in all 24 regular-season games, starting eight. Leads team in three-pointers (tied, 17) and three-point attempts (68), while averaging 5 points per game.
Womens players are:
- Jordan Smith. Guard. UAH junior. Hoover High School. Leads conference in three-point attempts (188) and fifth in scoring (14.7).
- Marisa Tomaszewski. Forward. UAH sophomore. Has played in two games this season, logging nine minutes with three rebounds and two points.
- Shannon Steinert. Guard. UAH sophomore. Hoover High School. Playedin all 25 games, starting the last four. Scored 38 points and grabbed 35 rebounds in 268 minutes.
GSC has lined up several events and specials to show its appreciation to area residents, Conference Commissioner Nate Salant said. These begin with a team welcoming event that’s free and open the public on Wednesday, March 6 at SoHo Square in Homewood.
The tournament begins the next afternoon at Samford’s Pete Hanna Center. Its schedule features eight men’s and eight women’s teams from the conference competing for championships, which will be played Sunday, March 10.
On Friday, March 7 from 8 p.m.-midnight, GSC will host Fanfest at Michael’s Restaurant in Homewood, highlighted by free wings and soft drinks to fans with ticket stubs from the day’s games.
Saturday, March 9 is Boys and Girls Scout Day at the Championship. Scouts wearing their uniforms or who bring proof get in free, and the Conference will provide them with special merit badges.
GSC’s headquarters is located in Shelby County. Salant said the Birmingham area is the geographic center of the conference, which includes schools from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. Salant said the conference has reserved more than 530 rooms for players and coaches. He estimates the total economic impact of hosting the tournament in Birmingham could be in excess of $100,000.
But while important, money isn’t everything, he said.
“Our goal is atmosphere and excitement,” Salter said. “This is not a dollar-driven event. We know we’ll never make big money because we aren’t a big conference like the SEC, but our basketball is as good at our level as big conferences are at theirs.”
Salant said last year’s tournament of 14 games included five that went to overtime and 12 that were decided in the final minute.
Championship Schedule
Games at the Hanna Center on the Campus of Samford University
Wednesday, March 6
5:30 -6:30 p.m.: Meet The Teams Welcoming Event in Soho Square: The Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 8 seeded teams from the Men's and Women's Tournaments will be introduced and the All-Conference Teams revealed. There will be a DJ playing music, free hot dogs and soft drinks, and a chance to mingle with the teams.
Thursday, March 7
Noon: Women's Quarter-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Quarter-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
Friday, March 8
Noon: Women's Quarter-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Quarter-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
8 p.m.-midnight: Fanfest At Michael's Restaurant (free wings and soft drinks for fans with ticket stubs from the games).
Saturday, March 9
Boys And Girls Scout Day: All scouts in uniform or with scouting ID admitted free with adult; pledge of allegiance to be led by scouts.
Noon: Women's Semi-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Semi-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Semi-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Semi-Final Game
Sunday, March 10
Homewood "Your City Of Champions" Day: All Children 12 And Under Who Reside In Homewood Admitted Free When Accompanied By An Adult.
1:30 p.m.: Women's Championship Game followed by awards presentation
4:30 p.m.: Men's Championship Game followed by awards presentation
* Teams and match-ups will be announced March 2 after the GCS Regular Season ends.
* GSC members are: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, University of North Alabama, Valdosta State University, University of West Alabama, University of West Florida, University of West Georgia.
* Games aired live on GSC-TV, CSS and ESPN3
* $8 - General admission tickets
* $5 - GSC students, senior citizens, active military
* Children under 5 admitted free.