With 281 teams playing 21 basketball courts, calling a tournament the "Big Mountain Jam" just doesn't seem to give its size enough justice.
Now in its third year, the largest basketball tournament in Utah is taking up residence again in the South Towne Expo Center. Team camps have already begun, and tournament competition runs Thursday through Saturday.
Walking in, expect to be hit by a cacophany of bouncing balls, pounding sneakers and referees whistles. That's the way tournament director Mike Killpack likes it: full.
"The coaches love it because you don't have to drive anywhere," he says. "It's a great basketball atmosphere. You don't have to just sit and watch the bad game — you can move to the overtime game if you want. There's always something going on."
Since it started in 2010, the tournament has focused mainly on bringing youth teams and younger clubs into its fold. But there will still be varsity teams there: Layton, Olympus, Jordan, Skyline and American Fork are among the schools registered to appear in competition.
There will also be boys and girls club teams from Canada, Montana, Nebraska, Arizona and a few in-state groups to season up the AAU action.
Three-and-a-half halls will be open for most of the first two days of competition, with finals and trophy presentations on Saturday. For in-state basketball fans, it should be worth a stop.
"It just keeps growing," Killpack says. "Seems to get bigger every year."
Twitter: @kylegoon
