By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola County will be flooded with young basketball players from across the nation for the next month when the Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) national championship tournament commences at several locations in the Kissimmee area.

The tournament, held in three one-week sessions, begins June 27 and wraps up July 31.

“We are very excited about our move to Kissimmee and feel our teams will share our excitement as well,” said YBOA President Donald A. Ruedlinger.

Jack P. Love, YBOA national director of basketball operations, expects 350 to 400 teams to compete. Age-group national champions in Division I (elite) and Division II brackets will be crowned.

The Kissimmee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau estimates that between 4,000 and 5,000 children will participate at the YBOA tournament with an estimated economic impact to the area of $14 to $16 million. Over the life of the three-year contract with YBOA, the KCVB estimates an economic impact of as  much as $48 million.

“We are all winners in this new partnership,” said Tom Lang, director KCVB. “Our facilities will allow the players to compete at a high level, and I know the many friends and family supporting them will be welcomed into our community. ”

Games are scheduled at Osceola Heritage Park, the Kissimmee Civic Center, Florida Christian College and local high schools and middle schools including Osceola High, Liberty High, Poinciana High, New Dimensions High, Parkway Middle, Horizon Middle, Celebration School and Bellalago Academy.

The county purchased four basketball floors to be installed at the Exhibition Hall at Heritage Park, where the championship games will be played.

Opening ceremonies will be at the Kissimmee Civic Center Sunday at 7 p.m. The first week of competition begins Monday and concludes July 3. The second tournament session is July 11-17. The final session is July 25-31.

Teams from Canada, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas also may join the competition.

YBOA, based in Orlando, has held a national tournament since 1989. Polk County hosted the tournament 13 times since 1995.

Ruedlinger said the YBOA was attracted to Osceola County because of the cooperation it received from the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Osceola County School District.

“This is a unique opportunity for our organization as well as the local community,” he said. “This furthers our goal to not only to offer a high quality national basketball event, but to provide tremendous vacation opportunities for our families and guests.”

The championship tournament includes academic and achievement awards.

Adult tickets, available at the door, are $12 (daily) or $40 (tournament pass). Students (17-under) are $8 and $15. Children under age 5 are free.