Detailed Plans for a Slam Dunk Basketball Party

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March in our house means it’s time for the Big College Basketball Tournament. We are a sports household that loves watching all kinds of sports. The Big Tournament also just gives us an excuse to have a party, invite friends and family to watch with us, and eat lots of delicious food. I have all the detailed plans for a slam dunk basketball party to help you out.

Why don’t you come on over and let’s get our brackets filled out and ready to go together?

Slam Dunk Basketball Party

In order to throw a good ol’ party, you need some cute decorations, delicious food, scrumptious sweets, and thirst-quenching Coca-Cola.

The Decor

I begin every party with a blank slate of a table and blank wall or backdrop to get me started. To add some color to what would just be a blank, white wall, I created my very own backboard and hoop. What is a basketball party without a huge basketball goal?

For the backboard I used a white foam board and placed black electrical tape to outline the edges as well to make the rectangle above the goal. I then just hung it on the wall above the table using strong double sided tape.

I wanted to add just a little extra color and touch of “party” so I made a flag pendant with orange scrapbook paper and bakers twine to hang across the backboard. I used miniature clothes pins to hang the paper. It’s just an extra little touch.

For the hoop, I loved the idea of having it hang freely over the top of the table. I used an embroidery hoop and painted it with orange acrylic paint using a foam brush.

After it dried, I used a hot glue gun to attach a white basketball net to the inside of the hoop. (You can find these nets at your local sports store.) I found the easiest way to attach the net was to first attach it with mini clothespins until you have it spaced correctly and then use a hot glue gun.

I wrapped fishing wire around the hoop in different spots and then attached the wire to the ceiling. I love how the fishing wire is practically invisible making it appear as though it is floating. *When hanging the hoop by the fishing wire, be sure that your hoop is lined up with your backboard and not hanging to high or low.

Under the hoop on the table, I sat a basketball on top of a clear glass vase. We are talking a slam dunk here?! Right?

On the table, I wanted the appearance of the actual basketball court so of course, I just make my own. And you can too. It’s much easier than it may look.

I used 2 white foam boards and covered them in an oak wood grain contact paper that I ordered online. You could also use scrapbook paper that has a wood design.

I then used electrical tape to outline the court and mark the appropriate lines.

Using alpha letters, I spelled out “Big College Tournament” on one side of the court.

Under the foam boards, I placed an orange tablecloth and draped orange and white crepe paper on the front of the table because in my opinion, “What is a party without crepe paper?”

Now what would a game be without a score board? Not much of anything! I made my own chalkboard scoreboard using an old picture frame that I bought at a yard sale several summers ago. Paint the glass with chalkboard spray paint and the frame with white spray paint, and that’s all there is to it.

Get yourself a chalk marker for the visitor and home teams and you are ready to go.

The Brackets

Now you just can’t celebrate the Big College Basketball Tournament without completing your bracket and predictions. How fun is it to predict your winners and then anticipate each game to see if you are correct. That’s what makes the whole watch party so much fun.

I can’t wait to get into the competitive spirit with my husband Mark too. It is so much fun to talk smack and just have a good time.

Be sure to print off plenty of empty brackets with pencils readily available for your guests to fill out their predictions as well before the games begin.

Be sure to follow me on social media. I will be updating y’all on my bracket and how I’m doing throughout March and part of April.

The Food

The great thing about party food is the indulgence of enjoying yourself. I personally love a good combo of sweet and salty. There is such a wonderful balance there.

A good party is just not good without a thirst-quenching classic Coca-Cola. It is definitely my favorite brand when choosing soda that I know everyone will love.

Be sure to head over to Sam’s Club to purchase Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, and Sprite and stock up for your watch parties.

You are going to need the extra supply on hand for all those hungry sports fans to help wash down some sweet, but yet salty, treats I have in mind for you. Plus with this Big Tournament lasting for several weeks, you are sure to need lots to keep on hand.

If you love basketball, chocolate, and peanut butter, then you will go “slam dunk” for this Chocolate Peanut Butter Basketball. (Instead of a cheese ball, it’s a basketball. Get it? Cheesy I know. Wait, no pun intended there. Lol!)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Crunchy Peanut butter
• 8 oz package Cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup Powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cocoa powder
• Splash of Coca-Cola
• ½ cup Dark Chocolate chips
• Orange sugar sprinkles
• Pretzels, cookie wafers, and crackers, for dipping

Combine the peanut butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola in a food processor until well combined. *There is just something about chocolate and Coca-Cola that pairs together beautifully.

Fold in the chocolate chips next.

Roll the ball into a round shape and cover with the orange sugar sprinkles. You can either pour the sugar sprinkles on top and try to shake off any excess or roll the ball into the sprinkles. Whatever is easier for you. The sprinkles will also make it easier for you to form a ball without the cheeseball sticking to your fingers.

Then place the chocolate chips with the flat end facing up into the ball to form the lines of a basketball. *I found that when I poured the sprinkles first, it seemed difficult for the chocolate chips to stick. I would recommend actually placing the chips first and then adding the sprinkles.

Serve on a platter with pretzels and cookie wafers for dipping.

There is just something delicious about a sweet cheeseball that everyone loves.

To balance the sweetness and sugar of a delicious cream cheese basketball, a classic salsa and crackers is always a good option. I found a large container of salsa at Sam’s Club while I was there and it is delicious. It actually taste homemade which saves me time cooking and more time for watching and cheering my team on.

And because you may be in sugar and salty overload, it never hurts to balance everything out with some fresh fruit. I placed small “Overtime Oranges” in a pail because they resemble miniature basketballs to me.

For an extra little snack, I also poured buttered popcorn in individual cups with orange scrapbook paper for some extra color.

For the fans of the “Salsa vs. Cheeseball” game, I placed the Sprite bottles and different Coca-Cola cans on the sidelines in the stands. Tape a black and white paper straw to each one and let the games begin!!

Oh boy! This is so exciting! I just can’t wait. Please let me know in the comments below who you will be cheering on and also how your bracket goes. Plus leave me a note letting me know how much you love that “Basketball” full of chocolatey peanut butter goodness. Enjoy your Coca-Cola!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

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