The boys championships will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at nine area locations.

Narcisse, an 11-year-old eighth-grader from North Augusta, is one of many out-of-state athletes competing in this year's Georgia Games.

Narcisse enjoyed the tournament so much last year that he convinced Jackets coach C.F. Johnson to allow the team to play in this year's games.

"It was such a great experience for him last year, he really encouraged us to play," Johnson said. "We just have such close connections with the state of Georgia, it's almost like our own games."

Narcisse, the stepson of Glenn Hills girls basketball coach Bernard Bowman, who led the Lady Spartans to the 2002 Class AAAA state championship, feels right at home playing in Augusta.

"They had a lot of Atlanta teams (last year), and they had the crowd behind them," he said. "We'll have the advantage this time."

The Jackets have compiled a record of 26-4 since their season started in March, and they won the South Carolina Youth Basketball of America state championship. They qualified to compete in the YBOA National Championships in Winter Haven, Fla., starting July 20.

"We don't really like to travel that much, but there really aren't enough local tournaments for us," Johnson said. "(The Georgia Games) will be a great primer for the Nationals."

The Jackets will also serve as ball boys for the Nike Peach Jam next week at North Augusta's Riverview Park.

The Georgia Games allows athletes from South Carolina and Tennessee, states without their own sanctioned games, to participate.

Many of the sports require an additional fee for non-Georgia residents, who can earn medals but cannot displace a Georgian for one.

"It's an opportunity to let the kids play, and the extra stuff is not that big of a deal," said David Bell, coach of the 11-and-under North Augusta Black Knights basketball team.

"The opportunity to compete and sportsmanship are what the games are all about. Who gets to go to the Olympics? This is going to be the closest thing most of these guys will ever see."

Reach Lane Kramer at (706) 823-3425.