CAA Women’s Basketball Championship Starts Thursday

Game action from the 2014 CAA Women’s Basketball Tourney (author photo)

Did you know that there is a place called the The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland? If you graduated from one of the local high schools that use it for commencement ceremonies, you may know the place. If you are a fan or participant of the various equestrian competitions held at the Prince George’s County facility, you know a little about the arena as well.

You may have even watched a hockey game a few years back here when a team called the Chesapeake Icebreakers made their home there. There was even the indoor football teams Chesapeake Tide and Maryland Maniacs.

But did you know they play basketball here? Well if you didn’t know this fact, you have been missing some great college basketball action in this unique local venue. From Thursday, March 12, 2015, to Sunday, March 15, 2015, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Women’s Basketball Championship is held at the Show Place Arena.

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Two afternoon games start the tournament off on Thursday with the College of Charleston vs. Towson first up at 12pm. A 2:30pm Northeastern vs. Delaware game caps off the afternoon of the lowest ranked teams in the league. But remember that between 2010 and 2013, those very same Blue Hen’s featured a dominant Elena Delle Donne, who went onto win the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year as a member of the Chicago Sky.

Four games Friday, two on Saturday and a 1pm Final on Sunday, gives the true basketball fans plenty of time to see some quality hoops actions. The Saturday and Sunday games are being televised by Comcast Sportsnet. The American Sports Network (ASN) will be broadcasting all four quarterfinal games on Friday.

The top seeded James Madison team seems primed for success this year, with Drexel, Hofstra and Elon the next likely ones to step up. The Dukes are also the defending champions and have already won the 2015 CAA Regular Season Championship with a 17-1 league record and a 26-3 overall record.

Fans of some of the teams come out in great numbers, so expect some rowdy crowds as they root their teams on. Last year the James Madison fans, bands and cheerleaders, had the place rocking many a time.

Some of the players to be on the lookout for are William & Mary senior Jazmen Boone, James Madison junior Angela Mickens, Elon freshman Shay Burnett, UNCW sophomore Brie Mobley, and William & Mary freshman Abby Rendle.

Tickets are a value with some games as cheap as $6. The best value is a ticket book for all games for around $40.