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Florida Gulf Coast University Wins Inaugural Coconut Hoops Title at Alico Arena
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Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 19:02 GMT by gulfcoastnewsnow.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Florida Gulf Coast University Claims First‑Ever Coconut Hoops Title at Alico Arena
The 2024 edition of the Coconut Hoops tournament made its inaugural appearance at Alico Arena in Fort Myers on a crisp Saturday morning, drawing a packed house of 4,500 fans and 16 collegiate teams from across the Southeast. The event, which the Gulf Coast News Now reports was the brainchild of the city’s downtown development authority and local business leaders, promised a fast‑paced, one‑night competition that would test the mettle of every squad in a 16‑team bracket format. FGCU, the host university and defending Atlantic Sun champion, stepped into the spotlight and ended up taking home the coveted trophy, signaling a promising start to a brand‑new tournament that is slated to become an annual highlight on the college‑basketball calendar.
A New Stage for a New Competition
Alico Arena, a 6,000‑seat multi‑purpose venue that opened in 2022, served as the perfect backdrop for Coconut Hoops. The arena’s state‑of‑the‑art LED scoreboard, 50‑foot‑tall center‑court banner, and the “Alico” sponsorship sign emblazoned across the court were all highlighted in the opening ceremony. City officials, the tournament’s executive director and Alico’s regional marketing lead were in attendance, all of whom underscored how the event would help spur economic activity for the downtown area, while also offering a platform for local charities such as the Gulf Coast Children’s Hospital and the Fort Myers Education Fund.
The tournament’s format was straightforward: 16 teams were seeded based on their conference standings from the 2023‑24 season, with the first round being a single elimination affair that culminated in the championship game at 4 p.m. The bracket was revealed the previous Friday in a press conference that drew a small crowd of reporters and team coaches. While the event was marketed as a “pre‑season showcase,” the Gulf Coast News Now reports that the first round was, in fact, the first official NCAA games for many of the participating squads.
The Teams on the Court
In addition to FGCU, the field featured seven other Atlantic Sun Conference teams (Bell U., Jacksonville State, North Texas, and others), five teams from the Ohio Valley Conference (Tennessee Tech, Eastern Kentucky, etc.), and four independents (Alabama A&M, Mercer, Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi, and Eastern Florida). The diverse mix promised a cross‑conference battle that would see rivalries rekindled and new matchups explored.
The tournament’s opening night was highlighted by FGCU’s first‑round win over a mid‑conference opponent that was favored by a 12‑point margin according to the pre‑game polls. The Falcons—coached by Michael Fly—displayed an early defensive intensity that forced the opposition into six turnovers. Their star guard, “MVP‑candidate” Isaiah Harris, recorded 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the 76‑68 victory.
The Road to the Final
After the first win, FGCU faced a steep challenge in the quarterfinals. The Falcons met the host of the tournament, a team from the Gulf Coast Conference, and the game turned into a defensive battle that saw FGCU come out on top by a 3‑point margin (62‑59). It was the third‑quarter turnaround, led by sophomore forward Marcus Lee’s 12‑point burst, that sealed the win.
The semi‑finals brought a face‑to‑face between FGCU and a storied program from the Ohio Valley Conference that had finished the previous season in the top‑five. The game was a back‑and‑forth affair, with FGCU eventually pulling away in the final two minutes thanks to an 8‑point run that was orchestrated by Harris and senior guard Jalen Carter. FGCU ended up in the championship with a 78‑73 victory, bringing home the first prize money of $25,000 for the champions.
The championship game featured FGCU against a powerhouse from the Atlantic Sun Conference that had won the national tournament last season. Despite the pressure, FGCU’s defense held the opposing team to a field‑goal percentage of just 41%. Harris again led the team with 24 points, and the Falcons won 88‑77, securing the inaugural Coconut Hoops title.
Voices from the Court
Coach Michael Fly expressed his delight in an interview with Gulf Coast News Now after the championship win: “It’s wonderful to see our program lead this new tournament. The team worked hard and showed true grit, and the fans in front of us were absolutely phenomenal. We’re excited for what the next year will bring.”
Team captain and guard Isaiah Harris, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, echoed the coach’s sentiment: “We’ve had a long season of hard work, and this tournament felt like a reward. The energy from the crowd and the support from the local community gave us a boost.”
The tournament’s executive director, who remained unnamed in the article but was referred to as “John Davis,” concluded, “The response from the community and the quality of the competition have exceeded our expectations. We are committed to making Coconut Hoops a staple of the college‑basketball landscape and a key driver for downtown Fort Myers.”
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Coconut Hoops tournament has set a high bar for its future iterations. With a clear vision of showcasing the best of the Atlantic Sun Conference and creating a competitive yet community‑centric event, organizers have hinted at expanding the field to 32 teams in the coming seasons. Moreover, the tournament’s success has already attracted attention from other local sponsors and sports media outlets, who have expressed interest in broadcasting the games across the Gulf‑Coast region.
In the end, the debut of Coconut Hoops was a resounding success: the tournament delivered excitement, community engagement, and a thrilling championship that crowned FGCU as the first champions. For the Falcons, the tournament victory added another chapter to their storied program, and for Fort Myers, it was a clear sign that the city’s downtown district is poised to become a major sports hub on the southeastern coast.
Read the Full gulfcoastnewsnow.com Article at:
[ https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/coconut-hoops-debuts-at-alico-arena-with-16-team-field-and-fgcu-win/69582721 ]
