A Week Of Championship Basketball As Sunbelt Tournament Returns To Pensacola
February 11, 2026
Basketball fever returns to Pensacola as the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, presented by Air Force Reserve, tip off Tuesday, March 3, at the Pensacola Bay Center. For one high-energy week, the city will host nonstop college basketball as the Sun Belt’s best teams compete for conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths.
All 14 Sun Belt Conference schools will compete in a single-elimination tournament running March 3 through March 9, with both the men’s and women’s championships held at the Pensacola Bay Center. Each game brings high stakes, as teams battle for an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
“The Sun Belt Conference’s student-athletes, coaches, and fans always look forward to starting the road to March Madness in Pensacola,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “We are excited to once again showcase our competitive spirit and growing national profile of Sun Belt basketball in a community that continues to welcome us with open arms.”
Sun Belt Conference teams include App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, ULM, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, and Troy.
By the end of play on Monday, March 9, one men’s team and one women’s team will emerge as conference champions, earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament and the opportunity to compete on college basketball’s biggest stage.
“Championship week brings an incredible level of excitement and energy to Pensacola,” said Darien Schaefer, president and CEO of Visit Pensacola. “We are proud to host the Sun Belt Conference once again and invite fans to experience great basketball alongside our beaches, downtown attractions, and outstanding local restaurants.”
Beyond the games, fans can take part in several free, family-friendly events throughout the week:
- Sun Belt Fan Fest: Join us outside the Bay Center on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free family-friendly celebration featuring a DJ, spirit teams, bands, games, and food and drinks. Early arrivals can even snap photos with the Championship Trophy inside the Bay Center Arena.
- 2026 Sun Belt Dribble Drive: On Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m., kids ages 3-12 can participate in this free event at the Bay Center. Children are encouraged to dribble around the venue and receive a free t-shirt, basketball, and two tickets to the Women’s quarterfinal game at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required as spots are limited to 650 participants!
The full schedule of Sun Belt Basketball Championship games, entertainment and events can be found at visitpensacola.com/sunbelt.
All Games, One Ticket, Plus a Free Tournament Cooler
Now through February 15, fans can purchase an All-Session Ticket Book for the 2026 Sun Belt Basketball Championships and receive one free official tournament cooler with each ticket book purchased. The offer includes access to every men’s and women’s game. Instructions for picking up your cooler voucher will be provided with purchase so you can redeem it at the merchandise stand during the tournament, March 3–9. More info: https://www.visitpensacola.com/sunbelt/sun-belt-january-cooler-promo/
Tickets are available online here at Ticketmaster. Group tickets start at $5 per person.
Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Split Monday Volleyball Matches
February 10, 2026
Beulah and Ernest Ward split volleyball matches on Monday night at Beulah.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagle junior varsity earned a win before the Beulah Varsity Bears came out on top.
On Thursday, Ernest Ward will host the Ransom Middle School Tigers at 5:30 p.m., and Beulah Academy of Science will host Beulah Middle at 5:30 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders Take Second In The Nation
February 9, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders finished second in the nation over the weekend.
Ransom took second in the Large Junior High Intermediate division at UCA Nationals, the newest intermediate division.
It was the first trip to Nationals for Ransom Cheer in 13 years. Coaches are China Purifoy and Brittany Settle.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Place In The Top 10 Nationally; JV Ranks Top 5
February 9, 2026
The Tate High School Aggie varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders finished among the top squads in the country this weekend in Orlando.
The varsity Aggies finished in 10th place out of 113 teams at the UCA High School Nationals.
“These athletes put in countless hours of practice, early mornings and late nights, endless lifting sessions, and showed up week after week on the sidelines at football and basketball games, always bringing energy and pride to Tate,” Coach Morgan Norwood said. “Their dedication, discipline, and teamwork never wavered—and it showed on the national stage.”
The junior varsity Aggie cheerleaders earned fifth place in the nation.
Pictured top: The varsity Tate Aggie cheerleaders at nationals. Pictured below: The JV squad. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Finish Season as 6A District 1 Runner-Up
February 8, 2026
The Tate Aggies took the runner-up spot in 6A District 1 with a 72-55 loss to the Milton Panthers on Saturday night in Milton.
It was a season-ender for the Aggies, with a 16-11 recordnwhile the Panthers (24-3) advance to regionals.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ice Flyers Fall To Knoxville Ice Bears
February 8, 2026
The Ice Flyers fell 2-1 to the Knoxville Ice Bears in overtime on Saturday night at the Hangar in front of 6,253 fans.
The game remained scoreless through the first period, with both goaltenders keeping things tight. Knoxville broke through in the second period when Carson Vance scored to give the Ice Bears a 1-0 lead. The Ice Flyers battled back, and the deadlock finally broke in the final minutes of the third period when Sam Rhodes tied things up, rejuvenating the crowd and breathing some life into the home team.
The game would go on to overtime, where Cam Gaudette ended up with another costly penalty with a holding call that set up Knoxville’s Tim Kent for a powerplay goal, giving the Ice Bears a 2-1 victory.
The Ice Flyers now head to Knoxville for another set of games before coming home for Lilo and Stitch Night on Sunday, February 15.
Ice Flyers Fall By One To Knoxville, Rematch Saturday Night
February 7, 2026
The Ice Flyers fell 1-0 to the Knoxville Ice Bears on Adult Jersey Giveaway Night at the Hangar.
The first period was evenly matched and remained scoreless, with the Ice Flyers outshooting the Ice Bears 13-9. Knoxville’s Stephan Mundinger and the Ice Flyers’ netminder Billy Gerard IV both made their fair share of saves in the opening frame.
The Ice Bears broke the scoreless deadlock in the second period when Jimmy Soper found the back of the net, giving Knoxville a 1-0 lead. They held that advantage for the remainder of the period.
Despite a late third-period powerplay opportunity, the Ice Flyers were unable to tie things up. The team will regroup for Saturday’s rematch against the Ice Bears.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win District Semi, Head To Finals Saturday Night
February 6, 2026
The Tate Aggies beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 66-54 Thursday night in the 6A District 1 semifinals at Tate High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Also on Thursday night, the Milton Panthers defeated the Niceville Eagles 68-42.
The No. 2 seed Aggies will travel to No. 1 Milton on Saturday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Pace In District Quarterfinal; Northview Chiefs Fall To Central
February 4, 2026
District quarterfinal action Tuesday night was the end of the road for the Northview Chiefs, while the Tate Aggies are battling forward.
In 6A District 1, the No. 2 Tate Aggies beat the No. 7 Pace Patriots 62-42 Tuesday night at Tate. Up next, the Tate Aggies will host No. 6 seed Gulf Breeze in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday in Tate’s Fryman Gym.
In Rural Class District 1 quarterfinals, the Central Jaguars beat Northview 72-35 at Central, ending the season for the Chiefs.
NorthEscambia.com file image.
Anderson Leads Tate Boys Tennis To Season-Opening Win Over Choctaw
February 4, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team opened the season with a 4-3 district win over Choctawhatchee in Fort Walton Beach.
Newcomer Noah Anderson, a junior, led the way with singles and doubles wins.
Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to face the West Florida Jaguars on Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
