Slam-Fest draws two teams, will return to August in '09

While holding Slam-Fest in late September makes for much more pleasant weather conditions, the down side is fewer teams participating.

That's why Stafford Moore Jr. said Cape Girardeau's popular outdoor basketball tournament will return to the third weekend in August next year, where it was held for the first 15 years of its existence.

Moore said Slam-Fest likely would have made the switch this year, but the city was working on Indian Park.

"This time of the year makes it hard to get teams, with a lot of people back at school," said Moore, one of the tournament directors. "Next year we're going to go back to August."

This year's event attracted just two teams, after five squads participated last year. Previously, as many as 10 teams had competed.

Still, Moore said the 17th annual Slam-Fest, which features entertainment and cultural activities — money raised goes to the House of Prayer Educational Youth Domestic Center and other youth organizations that use the facility — was another success.

"It was still a great weekend with nice crowds," Moore said.

With only two teams entered, Moore set up an NBA-style playoff series with a best-of-five format.

Tami's Day Care of Cape Girardeau and Mo's Pest Control of St. Louis split two games Saturday and also split their first two games Sunday.

That set up the deciding championship contest, which went to Tami's 50-35 behind 19 points from Michael Cox.

"It's different with only two teams," Cox said. "But if you love basketball, if it's two teams or 20 teams, it doesn't matter. You just want to play."

Mike Colon, who played on Central High School's 1980 state championship team and later at Southeast Missouri State, said having only two teams "was a little different. But it was fun playing a series like this."

Colon, 46, said he has played in every Slam-Fest. He believes he's the only person who can make that claim.

"I can't give it up," he said with a smile.

J.T. Williams, a Portageville native who played Division I basketball at McNeese State and currently plays professionally overseas, was named Slam-Fest MVP. He had 11 points in Sunday's deciding game.