By: Thomas Warren

Get your teams ready, because it’s that time of year for 3-on-3 basketball tournaments! The first basketball tournament of the year is The March Madness, which is played at Lakewood YMCA. I participated in this tournament and took first out of my age group this year, which was the varsity division. The next basketball tournament around this area is The World Gus Macker, held at Betts Park, in Warren, PA. The basketball games on each court are officiated. The tournament also includes the Special Olympic athletes playing on the “Dream Court.” It has been a wonderful experience for all participants.

The Gus Macker is held in various places all over the U.S, including Hornell, NY, Olean, NY, and Buffalo, NY, which are the closest to us. According to the Macker website, the price range is about $132.00 to register a team of four players. The Original Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was started in 1974 by Scott McNeal, on his parents’ driveway basketball court in Lowell, Michigan. It started with 18 friends playing competitively for $18. Other 3-on-3’s in this area would be the Bemus point 3-on-3 and The Barnyard Classic here at EHS, which supports our girls’ basketball team.

     The Squire interviewed a couple EHS students who have participated in these tournaments:

The Squire: How long have you been doing these 3-on-3’s?

Jacob Hamilton:  I have been playing since I was in sixth grade, so about five years.

TS: Which tournament is your favorite and why?

JH: The Barnyard, because it’s just the best tournament around and it’s a nice, family tournament atmosphere, but still competitive.

TS: How many of these 3-on-3’s do you do a year?

JH: I play in one because that’s the only one that is worth my time.

     The Squire also interviewed Jake Harvey, who has placed in some of these tournaments:

The Squire: How long have you been doing these 3-on-3’s?

JH: Ever since it all started in about fourth grade

TS: Which tournament is your favorite and why?

JH: The Warren Gus Macker, because it’s the most competitive and has the coolest trophies.

TS: How many of these 3-on-3’s do you do a year?

JH: Only two, the Barnyard Classic and the Warren Gus Macker.

All of the local 3-on-3 tournaments include a lot of great competition and are great fun to do with your friends. So get a team and register, it will be a fun time!