Record Turnout Set for PUC’s Annual Academy Basketball Tournament

Pacific Union College, in collaboration with PUC Preparatory School, is set to host the Pioneers Invitational Academy Basketball Tournament from January 24-27. This year marks a record turnout for the annual event, featuring participation from 17 academies and 32 boys and girls teams representing schools in California and as far away as Hawaii and Maine.

Matt Lee, one of the event organizers and athletic director at PUC Prep, expressed his enthusiasm about the turnout. “We've never had this many schools here for the tournament before, and I'm really excited about all of the energy on campus,” said Lee. “Playing on all three courts creates a great atmosphere and allows a lot of great basketball to happen in just a few days.”

The four-day tournament kicks off with the first boys and girls games on Wednesday morning at the Pacific Auditorium. In addition to the games, there will also be a 3-point shooting contest on Friday afternoon. A special award ceremony for participating teams is scheduled for Saturday night, followed by the final championship games.
 
The list of participating academies includes: 

• Armona Union Academy
• Bakersfield Adventist Academy
• Central Valley Christian Academy
• Escondido Adventist Academy
• Hawaiian Mission Academy
• Kolbe Trinity Prep
• Loma Linda Academy
• Mile High Academy
• Monterey Bay Academy
• Mountain View Academy
• Newbury Park Adventist Academy
• Napa Christian
• Pine Hills Adventist Academy
• Pine Tree Academy
• Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy
• PUC Prep
• Rio Lindo Adventist Academy
  

Jeff Davis, the coach of the Pine Tree Academy team, said his players are excited to play against other Adventist schools. Pine Tree, located in Freeport, Maine, typically plays games against public and private schools.

“Being in the Atlantic Union and not having an Adventist college in our part of the country, tournaments like this give our students the opportunity to visit other Adventist campuses as potential destinations after they graduate,” Davis said.

Davis said for a small school like Pine Tree, it can be expensive to attend a tournament like this on the West Coast. But he said PUC is a generous host.

“The PUC tournament helps make a trip like this possible for our students by providing us with accommodations and meals, which is a major advantage over other competing Adventist tournaments around the country since we only have to cover our travel costs,” Davis said.

Plus, he said, Northern California provides “a unique cultural and educational destination that is completely different from where we live, which is a bonus for our students beyond the basketball and tournament setting.”

In addition to the games, academy athletes visiting the campus will get a glimpse of what it’s like to experience life as a student at PUC. Various worship opportunities are scheduled, including Newton Hall Dorm Worship, Friday night vespers, Sabbath School, and church. Other activities include campus tours, lawn games, and a hike.

Lee said they are pioneering a new format for the tournament this year, which they believe will benefit many teams, avoid lopsided games, and make them more fun to play and watch as a spectator. “I anticipate everyone having a really great experience with their team, making new friends, and experiencing some of what PUC has to offer,” he said.

For more information and the schedule of events, please visit the 2024 Pioneers Invitational Academy Basketball Tournament on the PUC website.

Watch the live tournament and championship games on PUC’s YouTube channel.