This week I have spent watching non-stop basketball. I have spent 2 days watching the High Stakes Hoops (HSH Website) tournament live at the Dome and the other day watching it live on OneHD.

What is High Stakes Hoops you ask? It is a brand new concept brought about by Jeff Van Groningen and many others, in which 8 teams compete for a first prize of $175,000. They have gone back to traditional 48 minute games and have included a ‘game breaker’ which each team can activate once per half, and once activated any 3 point shots count for 4.

I have quite enjoyed the concept and the level of basketball played. While crowds at the Dome have been quite small (a few hundred per day), I imagine the TV viewers would be significantly more.

Yesterday saw the completion of the pool games and the Fleet, Rush, Rays and Reef all advanced to the top four and a chance to win the $175,000. The Fleet went through undefeated and will now face the Reef in the crossover, while the Rays will face the Rush.

Overall this is a great concept and will only improve over time. I actually look forward to seeing where this format is in 5 years and how far it has come.

You can also follow ECB Hoops on twitter here for updates on the games. You can also visit HoopsSA for the chance to get a free ticket or a ticket at half price, or simply be one of the first 150 people to say the code “Footlocker” at the door from 3pm and $15 tickets after the first 150.