Paradise Jam is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Thus far, fans have been treated to close games and a surprise winning of the Men’s Tournament, Liberty University. Now that the men are gone, it is time for the women to take center stage beginning Thursday.
Let’s take a moment to meet all eight participating teams.
Island Tournament
The University of Pittsburgh is off to a better start than it experienced one year ago, boasting a 5-1 record thus far this season. The Panthers finished the 2023-2024 campaign with an 8-24 record. This Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team is coached by Tory Verdi in his second year at the helm. The key players for the Lady Panthers are #15 Khadija Faye, averaging 17.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, and #23 Mikayla Johnson with 8.5 points per contest.
The Panthers will open the Island Tournament at 1:30 p.m. when they take on the University of Kansas at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The Jayhawks advanced to the second round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament last season. Head Coach Brandon Schneider has his team off to a 4-1 record thus far this year. The University of Kansas is representing the Big 12 Conference. Sophomore guard #12 S’Mya Nichols is the player to watch for the Jayhawks.
The University of Northern Iowa will play Auburn University in the second game of the day at 4 p.m. The Panthers hail from Cedar Falls, Iowa. They, too, are off to a fast start to their season, with three wins in their four games. The Panthers slid into the postseason last year with a 16-15 record. They lost their opening round National Invitational Tournament (NIT) game. Tanya Warren coaches the Panthers. Senior guard #00 Maya McDermott is the player to look out for when this Missouri Valley Conference team is on the court.
The Auburn University Tigers are the fourth team playing in the Island Tournament. Auburn, Alabama, is home to the Tigers, who are off to a 3-2 start this season. Head Coach Johnnie Harris would like to improve on their first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Tigers compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. #0 Taliah Scott and #5 DeYona Gaston are key players for Auburn.
Reef Tournament
Missouri State University Lady Bears is one of two Missouri Valley Conference teams playing in the 2024 Paradise Jam. Missouri State had a good season last year, registering a 23-10 record. The dynamic duo of #21 Kyrah Daniels and #4 Lacy Stokes are both guards who control the game for coach Beth Cunningham. The Lady Bears are 3-1 so far this season.
Missouri State plays one of the top programs in the country, Gonzaga University, at 6:30 p.m. The Bulldogs made a deep run in the 2024 NCAA Women’s National Championship Tournament. They would love to improve their 32-4 record from one year ago. Coach Lisa Fortier’s team will be tested in the West Coast Conference this year. Graduate student forward #15 Yvonne Ejim will carry much of the load for the Bulldog this year.
The final game of the evening will be between the Texas Tech University Raiders and the Florida State University Seminoles at 9 p.m. Krista Gerlich coaches the Lady Raiders. Texas Tech is a member of the Big 12 Conference and has won all six games it has played so far this year. Two junior guards, #3 Jasmine Shavers and #20 Bailey Maupin are the Raiders’ leading scorers.
The Seminoles of Florida State University is the final team in the Reef Tournament. They are coached by Brooke Wyckoff. The Seminoles went 23-11 last season, good enough to be invited to the NCAA Women’s National Championship Tournament. However, they were knocked out in the first round. Florida State plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference, better known as the ACC. #00 Ta’Niya Latson, #21 Makayla Timpson, and #3 Gordon Omariah are the players to watch.
Games start at 1:30 p.m. at the UVI Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Here is Thursday’s game schedule:
Island Tournament – Pittsburgh vs Kansas – 1:30 p.m.
Island Tournament – Northern Iowa vs Auburn – 4 p.m.
Reef Tournament – Missouri State vs Gonzaga – 6:30 p.m.
Reef Tournament – Texas Tech vs Florida State – 9 p.m.
