How are teams bracketed?

*This blog entry was originally posted in February of 2011. It has been updated

Teams are placed in brackets based
on the information they provide

A common question we get is "how are the teams bracketed?" Often, players are concerned that they will be placed in a bracket with players far better, much older/younger or less skilled then they are. Our goal is to create brackets that are balanced and fair to everyone in the bracket, based on the information that we are provided.

For youth and high school teams, the first step is to determine which grade they are as a team. Teams are considered to be in the grade of the player that is in the oldest grade. So if there is a player in the 7th grade and 2 in the 6th grade then that team is considered a 7th grade team. Ideally there are enough teams in the same grade to create bracket of the same grade teams. However, from time to time we have to combine two grades in to the same bracket, such as a 7th/8th grade bracket. Keep in mind that we will never combine teams that are more than one grade apart (ie a 9th grade team would not be in a 12th grade bracket). If there are enough teams in the same grade to have two brackets, teams are separated based on the experience factor listed by the players.

For adult brackets, the first separation occurs based on the division that teams elect to play for (recreational, competitive, elite). If there are enough teams to create multiple brackets in, say, the adult recreational division, we use age as the separating factor.

Keep in mind that it is absolutely impossible to create perfect brackets. We do the best that we can. All the brackets are based on the information that we are provided. And of course there is always the "get hot" factor, where a player that is normally average is "feeling it" during the tournament and performs better than expected (it goes the other way too). All in all, just remember that this is a community event, that the people working it are volunteers, the teams are all playing for t-shirts and come Monday we all have to go back to work!

Late registration will remain open until this Friday night so if you want to play, be sure to get your team registered by then. If the bracket you enter on the website lets you register, it means there should be room.

Register today by clicking here.

Youth basketball teams to take over BAM Jam

Divisions available for youth
basketball teams

Each summer, Fast Eddy's BAM Jam hosts hundreds of youth basketball 3 on 3 teams in the 3rd-8th grades for boys and girls. Teams continue to come back each year to compete against old and new competitors and try to win the coveted Champions T-shirts.

Teams are divided into brackets based on the team member's highest grade level. The youth basketball teams will only compete against other teams that are the same grade or within one grade level of each other. For example, a 5th grade team won't compete against a 7th grade team.

Last summer we featured 9 youth basketball brackets, providing competitive play in a fun environment. Click here to see last summer's brackets.

Boys and girls youth basketball teams
compete in BAM Jam

The high school divisions (9th-12th grades) have also been very popular. Last year, teams from all over the northwest, including Alaska, competed in five different brackets with nearly 60 teams.

But you need to register ASAP. The late registration period closes this week and after that teams will not be able to register. Register your team by clicking here.

We need your help managing courts at BAM Jam

We are pleased to introduce Colby Blaine, who will be our Court Monitor Director for this summer's Fast Eddy's BAM Jam. He joins a great list of Court Monitor Directors that have done an excellent job during the previous 6 tournaments.

Colby is a Boise native and a graduate of Boise High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Western Montana and then his Master's in Athletic Administration from Idaho State. He is currently the assistant coach at the College of Idaho and has a lot of experience operating and managing basketball tournaments and camps.

Court Monitors will receive t-shirts, gear from STADIA Clothing, lunch both Saturday and Sunday from Pita Pit and Old Chicago, a parking pass to park at the event and you get to keep your court's basketball! Plus we provide complete court monitor training and support through out the event.

If you would like to send Colby a message, you can email him at cblaine35@gmail.com. Or you can register to become a court monitor at www.bamjamboise.com/volunteer.

Late registration is still available

If you still want to play in the Fast Eddy's BAM Jam on August 9-10, you may still be able to get in. The guaranteed deadline has passed and now we are in the late registration period but some brackets still have room for teams.

Register your team today!

If you go to register and the bracket you want to play in is still listed, you will probably still be able to get in. But some brackets are filling up.

*NOTE: if for some reason you are able to register but there is not room available, you will be notified ASAP and your money will be fully refunded.

Your best bet to get in? Register today. There will be 300 teams from around the northwest competing on the streets of downtown Boise. Don't miss out on the good times and great action!

The best 3 on 3 basketball players will be in Boise August 9-10

We are looking for the best 3 on 3 basketball players in the west to compete in the 7th annual Fast Eddy's BAM Jam August 9-10 in Boise, Idaho. And if you have what it takes, we will take care of you.

The best 3 on 3 basketball players will
be in Boise at BAM Jam August 9-10

Of course, there are divisions for players of all ages and abilities. But players in the elite divisions will all get a chance to play on the Northwestern Mutual Center Court and games are officiated by certified high school and college officials. Teams get a VIP treatment at team check in and receive parking passes right next to tournament in our VIP parking lot.

[register by clicking here]

BAM Jam has a tradition of hosting some of the best 3 on 3 basketball players and teams. Our past champions include winners of the Hoopfest Elite Division, former professional, Division I, Division II and NAIA players. The champions all receive championship packages worth hundreds of dollars and, of course, the highly sought after champions shirts printed on Nike apparel.

The Northwestern Mutual Center Court will feature elite division games all weekend long. The Northwestern Mutual crew will set up to take care of our elite players. A shaded canopy and ice cold water for elite team members are just a few of in game perks Northwestern Mutual will provide.

Northwestern Mutual welcomes the best 3 on 3
basketball players to the Center Court at BAM Jam

Northwestern Mutual is no stranger to big sporting events. As a proud partner of the NCAA and the presenting sponsor of the Rose Bowl, Northwestern Mutual understands the importance of sports and the impact that they have on the surrounding community.

BAM Jam is excited to host the best 3 on 3 basketball players in the northwest. If you are interested in competing in the 2014 Fast Eddy's BAM Jam, click here or go to the "PLAY" button at the top of the www.bamjamboise.com webpage.