While the first round of Paradise Jam Women’s Tournament games kicked off Thursday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on St. Thomas, the second round of teams, this time in the Reef Division, also packs a big punch.
Reef Tournament
High Point University’s Purple Panthers are coming into the tournament with a 3-1 record. Their only loss came at the hands of Virginia Tech, the eighth-ranked team in the country. Fifth-year head coach Chelsea Banbury runs a guard-centered offense that seemingly has the green light to shoot from behind the arc. Last season, the Purple Panthers led the Big South Conference with 249 made shoots from distance averaging 7.8 a game. This year’s team will be led by Lauren Bevis, Nakyah Terrell, Bukky Akinsola, and Callie Scheier all four are guards. If the Purple Panthers make their shots, they will be in the game, if not, it will be a tough trip in Paradise for the Purple Panthers.
The Purple Panthers faced the University of South Florida Bulls at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The Bulls are looking to improve on their disappointing finish from last season. The Bulls went 15-1 in the American Athletic Conference (ACC) only to be bounced in the quarterfinals against Wichita State in the ACC Tournament Championships. The Bulls did rebound with an impressive two-point overtime victory against Marquette in the first round of the Women’s NCAA tournament. But the Bulls lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round. This year, Head Coach Jose Fernandez brought in Freshman Italian guard Vittoria Blasigh who brings a wealth of international experience to the team. Her leadership will be needed for the Bulls to have a successful run in Paradise Jam 2023.
The final game in the Reef Division on the opening day of the Women’s Tournament on Thursday showcased Arizona State against Texas. Arizona State University’s Sun Devils play in the highly competitive Pac-12 conference. Arizona State had a rough 2022-2023 campaign only winning eight games all season. Head Coach Natasha Adair has these Lady Sun Devils blazing a new course as they come into this tournament sporting a 4-1 record. Coach Adair is coming off a successful tenure in her last coaching assignment at the University of Delaware. Behind the leadership of sophomore Forward Kadidia Toure and Senior Guard Jaddan Simmons, Coach Adair would love to continue the success they have enjoyed so far this season by winning the Reef Tournament.
The University of Texas Longhorns are currently ranked 12th in the country and have been a perennial powerhouse in the collegiate women’s game. The Longhorns come into the tournament boasting an unblemished 4-0 record. Head Coach Vic Schaefer and his team are heavy favorites to win this event. The Lady Longhorns have an inside presence led by Senior Forward Taylor Jones. She scored 20 plus points in her last two outings, including tying her career high of 25 against Louisiana Tech. Junior point guard Rori Harmon provides the outside threat in this potent dynamic duo as she can score, lead her team in assists, and is a criminal on defense, recording 16 steals in just four games this season. With these two experienced players plus the supporting cast of freshman Madison Booker, grad student Shaylee Gonzales, and sophomore Amina Muhammad, the Longhorns will be tough to beat in this tournament.
The Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas will be hosting the tournament from Thursday, Nov. 23 to Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. There will be four games every day at 2:00 pm, 4:15 pm, 6:45 pm, and 9:00 pm.
