Bowie High School Coach Vickie Benson recently hosted the sixth annual Bowie Girls Be-YOU-tiful Basketball Classic. 

The tournament aims to empower young women, and each year it’s driven by a different theme or message that focuses on issues affecting students’ lives. 

Previous topics have included eating disorder awareness, domestic violence, substance abuse and honoring women in the military.

“I always had it in my heart to not just be able to influence and impact the girls that I get to coach everyday but what would it be like to bring in teams for a competitive tournament and then pour into them too,” Benson said.

Senior guard Madison Wilson has participated in the tournament since she was a freshman. 

“The tournament stands for something more than just playing basketball,” Wilson said. “The tournament empowers women to really stand out and be exemplary at everything you do and everything that you’re part of in life."

The Be-You-tiful tournament started with eight teams and quickly expanded to 12. This year’s event will include two divisions: The Super 16 for highly competitive teams, and The Elite 8 for teams that are right at the tipping point of being able to compete at a higher level.

“Our vision is to grow the tournament by doubling in size over the next two years and have the opportunity to pour into more young women,” Benson said.

For results of the Be-YOU-tiful tournament please visit the Bowie girls’ basketball Twitter page @wbbBowie.