Basketballs were bouncing throughout the streets of Phoenix, Ariz.,as Basketball Congress International (BCI) hosted its annual BCI Spring Tip-Off Tournament, April 22-24 at nine gyms in the Phoenix area.

The three-day tournament was dividedinto three age divisions: 14u / 15u / 16u for both boys and girls and featured teams from California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

"It was a great weekend of basketball in Phoenix, Arizona," said Tournament Director, Justin Peterson. "The out-of-state teams came into townand took care of business."

Kody Braddix (Apollo H.S.) and John Pina (Maryvale H.S.)each scored 16 points leading the Arizona Canes to a 62-58 victory over Arizona Premier in the BCI Boys Spring Tip-Off 16U championship game, April 24 at Grand Canyon University.

The Canes (5-0) kept the game close, trailing 43-41 after three quarters. Braddix scored seven of his 16 points in the final quarter as the Canes outscored the Premier, 21-15 during the final eight minutes.

Arizona Premier (4-1) was led by Kyle Pearson (Valley Christian H.S.) with 13 points. Heston Allred (Highland H.S.) and Justin Kelley (Corona del Sol H.S.) finished with 11 points each.

Heston caught fire in the final quarter scoring eight of his 11 points, but it wasn't enough to hold of the Canes.

Arizona Premier advanced to the finals with a thrilling, 66-64, come-from-behind victory over Keep It Real while theArizona Canes held off Team P.O.W.E.R. House, 67-63, setting up the all Arizona finals.

The New Mexico Lobos came to Phoenix, Ariz., looking for one thing the BCI Boys 15U title and after three days of basketball they packed up and headed back to Albuquerque with the championship trophy.

New Mexico (4-0) opened the tournament with a 59-46 victory over DTP/Phoenix. They defeated the Southwest Rebels, 82-55, advancing to bracket play as the top seed in pool two.New Mexico then advanced to the championship with a 76-48 victory over North H.S.

Phoenix Inferno (3-2) advanced to the championship game with a 58-47 victory over the Valley Trailblazers.

Fifteen teams battled for the top prize in the BCI Boys 14U championship and when the final horn sounded California No Limits walked out of the gym holding the trophy.

California No Limits pulled away in the second half defeating the Arizona Blaze, 63-42, in the championship game.

No Limits (5-0)swept through the tournament with a perfect record. They advanced to the finals with an easy, 59-30 victory over TucsonXtreme.

Arizona Blaze (4-1) knocked off Tucson Sporting Chance, 59-49, setting up the championship match-up.

Rosalyn Nelson (Deer Valley H.S.)scored a game-high 21 points leading the Arizona Fire - Singh to a 65-51 victory over the Arizona Lady Hype in the BCI Girls 16U championship game.

Arizona Fire (4-1) jumped out to an early 14-6 first quarter lead and never looked back winning the championship.

Kari Laplante (Desert Ridge H.S.)added 11 points for the Fire while Yvonne Nugid (Mnt. Pointe H.S.) finished with 10 points.

Arizona Lady Hype (4-1) advanced to the championship, after trailing by 20 points, with a thrilling, 59-58, come-from-behind victory over the Rez Girls.

For more information on any BCI tournaments contact: Justin Peterson at just4hoopin@yahoo.com 602-740-8264 phone or check out the website at www.arizonabci.org