Chipola Alzheimer’s Classic Brings National Talent to Marianna

10/30/08

The Third Annual Chipola College Alzheimer’s Classic will be held Nov. 13-15 in the Milton H. Johnson Health Center.
Chipola women’s basketball coach David Lane, says, "This year’s Classic will have no shortage of talented teams and players. The eight team field includes five teams who qualified for the National Tournament last year, including National Champions Gulf Coast Community College. Throw in three more teams from the Florida Panhandle Conference—arguably the toughest junior college conference in the country—and this year’s Classic looks to be the best yet."
Along with the team talent, there will be plenty of individual talent as well. The teams will feature 22 of the top 60 junior college sophomores and 12 of the top 34 junior college freshmen according to Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls’ Basketball Report.
"The Alzheimer’s Classic at Chipola College has become the junior college tournament of the year. It has as much talent as the National Tournament. It is a tremendous early opportunity to see the best teams and players in junior college basketball," Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls’ Basketball Report.
The three-day event will feature several Top Ten matchups. On Thursday, Nov. 13, a rematch from the National Tournament kicks off the evening at 5 p.m. as number two Trinity Valley (TX) takes on number 23 Georgia Perimeter. The nightcap will feature ninth-ranked Chipola against number 19 Monroe (NY).
The first full day of games begins Friday Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. Key matchups include defending National Champions Gulf Coast (number 5) versus number 19 Monroe (NY) at 3 p.m. The final game of the night will be between potential ninth-ranked Chipola and second ranked Trinity Valley.
The third and final day of the Classic should easily be the most entertaining. Games start at noon. At 2 p.m. Trinity Valley will be looking to avenge last year’s lost to Gulf Coast. At 4 p.m., upstart Pensacola will look to make a splash against Monroe. The Classic’s final game at 6 p.m. will be the most anticipated as ninth ranked Chipola meets top ranked Jefferson College (MO).
The games take on more intrigue as State Farm All-Americans Latoya Williams (Chipola) and Danielle Adams (Jefferson) battle to see who becomes the front runner for JC/CC National Player of the Year.
Lane said, "This year’s field is very talented. I would recommend this tournament to any four year coach who is looking for a junior college player. You will not be disappointed!"