Bermuda's first Thanksgiving Basketball Classic starts today with eight teams battling it out to win the inaugural title.

Three teams from the Island, Bermuda Red, Bermuda White and Bermuda Blue, will go up against five teams from overseas with this afternoon's group matches split between Cedarbridge Academy and Berkeley Institute.

And skippers Srdjan Bosnjak, Greg Gentry, Spencer Kardash, and Devonte White are all anxiously awaiting the tip off.

The quartet are all captains of their respective clubs with Bosnjak and Gentry leading Durango High from Las Vegas, while Kardash and White will lead Georgetown High from Ontario and Chapparal High from Las Vegas respectively into battle.

None of the sides competing in the tournament have started their seasons and will be using the competition as a stepping-stone to potentially bigger and better things in the future.

For Bosnjak and Gentry, the trip is as a good opportunity to get the final pieces to their team puzzle solved and hopefully raise awareness of the sport in Bermuda. Gentry also said the differences in the team styles on showcase this weekend could offer up some up exciting play with many high powered players set to take centre stage.

"We're looking to build a better team chemistry while here, we need to work together and see how it plays out," said Bosnjak at a press conference at Grotto Bay yesterday. "They will definitely see some big bodies flying around on the court.

"Our season ended controversially last season with teams not fielding eligible players and so forth, so it was unfortunate to not win that.

"This tournament will bring a lot to Bermuda because there are those out there that play the game and more people will come and see the games and fall in love with the sport just as we have.

Gentry added: "In Las Vegas we try to get up and down the floor quickly, there are a lot of fast breaks and players that can create for themselves. Our average height is roughly 6'3", so we will try to take advantage of size if it is available and play to our natural game."

Kardash will lead the Canadian based Georgetown High into the tournament off the back of an encouraging season last term. And although the tournament will be pre-season for all the schools involved, the captain made it clear on what his intentions are.

"In Canada every team is pretty different, the region is big and it really depends on what part you are from, different areas play different styles," said Kardash.

"We try to control the pace and not allow other teams dictate to us what we are going to do. Our average height is probably 6'-6'1', so height won't be a problem

"We lost to the second ranked team in Ontario, so it wasn't that bad of a season, but we travelled here to win, not just to sightsee and enjoy this beautiful country.

"Tejour Riley came to play with us at our school and to be here in Bermuda in an international tournament is great. They really have a sense of appreciation for the game, and it made us realise that sometimes we take it for granted, they view the game differently."

White, who will lead the Chapparal team, is hoping his side can entertain the local supporters.

"The crowd will see some high flyers out on the court, fast paced action with a lot of momentum swings that will only add to the excitement," said White.

The three Bermuda sides consist of players from all high schools on the Island. They will be coached by Steve Simons, Rickey Watts and Mike Smith. The event has been organised by top local player Chris Crumpler.

Francis Parker High from San Diego and Metro Prep from Toronto are the two other schools from abroad set to compete for honours at the Classic.

Each team will play four games, two games each day, with today's results determining who goes into the consolation bracket for fourth to eighth place and who goes into the championship bracket, with the top four battling for the title tomorrow.

n Tickets for the Classic are on sale at International Sports or organiser Chris Crumpler can be contacted at 332-7827 or email Bermudabasketball@gmail.com.