Home grown talent Ray Victor and Halstead "JR" Chiverton would get the chance to play in front of fans and family if the Tropical Shoot Out rolls into town in November. Photo: Supplied

Organiser of the College Tournament, Steve Parillon has a reputation for not letting anything get in the way of his dreams for basketball. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Warner plays in the NAIA Division 2 and last season saw their 2011-12 campaign come to an end at the hands of Oregon Tech in the second round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. Photo: supplied

The plans for a college tournament to be held at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town were announced by Steve Parillon, President of the Hoop It Up Foundation on Thursday night September 27, 2012 during a local TV Sports Show. The show was hosted by Karl Scatliffe, who is also a Vice President of the Foundation.

Victor and “JR” are members of the Warner University “Royals” team which is one of four Colleges to have confirmed participation. The others are Northwood University also from Florida, the University of Puerto Rico Cayey and the University of the Virgin Islands.

According to Parillon, there are still many issues to sort out before the Shoot Out can become a reality- not least of which is finance. Letters have been sent to various Government departments including the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, but up to last night no sponsors or funds had been committed to the Tournament.

“It’s not just about us,” stated both Parillon and Scatliffe. “This is a benefit to the whole country, hotels, taxi drivers, restaurants and fans of the sport.”

The event, which is planned for the weekend of November 23^rd and 24^th, 2012, would be the first of its kind to be held in the VI and the organizers hope it is just a stepping stone to being able to bring bigger and higher profile colleges to the Territory in the future.

Currently Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and the USVI host College pre season tournaments and each has proven a huge success, not just in exposure to the sport for younger players, but also in attracting visitors to each region.

“Seeing the likes of “JR” and Ray can only benefit our youths,” claimed Parillon. “The chance to have played in front of my home fans and family would have been something I would have died for such an opportunity.”

Warner plays in the NAIA Division 2 and last season saw their 2011-12 campaign come to an end at the hands of Oregon Tech in the second round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. Oregon Tech went onto beat Northwood, who are known as the Seahawks, in the Championship game 63-46.

In concluding the announcement, Scatliffe and Parillon stated that the proceeds from the Tropical Shoot Out would go to the Hoop It Up Foundation so it can continue its efforts towards improving the quality of local basketball. They also hoped that potential sponsors “would look on the bright side and put aside any differences they may have with the Foundation”.