JAM FEST: 2 DAYS OF MUSIC AND BASKETBALL

This year's House of Prayer Jam Fest basketball tournament at Indian Park had something for everyone.

Saturday and Sunday offered barbecue, live gospel music, a playground for the kids, some basketball celebrities, give-aways, contests and of course some of the area's best basketball players.

Nearly 1,000 people relaxed in the late afternoon sun or in the shade beneath Indian Park's trees Sunday and watched the St. Louis Sixers defeat the Cairo Taste Lounge 50-34, claiming their second consecutive Jam Fest first-place trophy.

For the first time, Jam Fest offered live gospel music during all but the final game. The robust smell of barbecue drifted over the park from an outdoor cooker set up just behind the crowd. The event also drew local college and high school basketball stars courtside to cheer on friends.

Also on hand was Chris Carr, who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns and now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Carr won the slam dunk contest at last year's Jam Fest.

Scott Porter, House of Prayer youth director and Jam Fest organizer, said he couldn't be happier with this year's tournament and he's already thinking about next year.

"I'd like to have more teams," he said. "I'd like to keep up on (issuing the teams') uniforms. Really, I couldn't ask any more than that.

"The weather was wonderful. This is the fifth year it hasn't rained. It's almost scary."

Porter said Jam Fest was able to provide mesh uniforms for each team because, for the first year, the tournament was sponsored.

"Schnucks really helped us out a great deal," he said. "They were the reason why we were able to provide uniforms. And they came out every day and they were a big part of it. We're always looking for corporate sponsors. That means more money that we can have for the kids."

A couple of regulars to the Jam Fest, referees Homer Jackson and Gerald Howard, both of Sikeston, said the Jam Fest just keeps improving.

"This is always a good tournament," said Jackson, who has officiated for the Jam Fest for five years. "Ability wise, there are a lot of guys out here with NBA potential."

Jackson said he can't see much that would improve Jam Fest more than just getting the word out.

"Getting good press," he said. "The more the people see about this the more interest there will be in it."

Howard would like to see the city of Cape Girardeau improve the basketball facilities at the park for next year's event.

Having a former tournament contestant get drafted by the NBA just after the Jam Fest concluded last year gives the tournament a considerable amount of credibility, Porter said. And he'd like to get players like Carr more involved. Carr on the other hand said he'd prefer to support the Jam Fest quietly.

"I have some friends playing and I thought I'd come out and show my support a little bit," he said. "I think it (the Jam Fest) is good for the community. It gets everybody out here interacting with one another. I'll always come -- just to watch."

Porter sees the Jam Fest growing into more than just a two-day basketball tournament over the next few years. In fact, one of the first changes he'd like to see is making it a three-day event.

"It's going to branch out," he said. "We've got some vendors out here selling different things. Ten years down the road I'd like to see a host of NBA players down here as judges and referees, more teams and a better park to play in."