The Kerr-Pegula Field House will host the Western New York 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament tomorrow. The tournament is a daylong event in which teams, organized by age and gender, will compete in at least three games. According to the website, both male and female teams are divided into the following age groups: 11-14, and 15-18; 19-34, and 35 and over for the adult division. Each team includes between three and four players. Additionally, up to ten individuals were invited to sign up for slam dunk and three point shooting contests.
Harold “Skip” Lord, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, explained this is the “first time” Houghton College has hosted the WNY 3 on 3 Tournament. He said, “It is unique in that most of these kinds of events are hosted outdoors in the summer in a kind of street ball format. Holding it in the field house will allow us to start before any of the other outdoor tournaments happen. We are hoping it will eventually grow into a fairly large and popular event.”
Because of this is the first time Houghton has hosted an event such as this, there is no verdict regarding how the tournament will stack up to the popularity of other 3 on 3 tournaments, such as the summer Gus Macker Tournament in Olean, New York. However, Marshall Green, KPAC Facilities Marketing and Scheduling Coordinator, stated, of the 66 teams that are registered, the 14-18 boys and girls make up the largest age group.
Adult participants may win cash prizes at the tournament. The tournament website stated whichever men’s and women’s teams of the Elite Division win first place will receive trophies and $400 cash. Additionally, trophies and $100 cash will be awarded to the winners of the slam dunk and 3-point contests. However, any participants in high school are ineligible and cannot win cash prizes.
Lord stated the men’s and women’s basketball teams will help run the event. “We couldn’t do it without them,” he said. “It will have a positive impact on our ability to hit our KPAC missional revenue goals. ”Green added, “Houghton is very excited to be hosting the first annual WNY 3-on-3 Indoor Basketball Tournament. This is an amazing opportunity to get players together of all ages and skill levels from throughout the Upstate region. With the size and scope of our venue, we will be able to host upwards of 200 teams so I am expecting some extreme basketball talent to show up.”