Basketballers Hoop It Up in South charity tournament
by Jason Hollins, reporter

    Forty-five hoopsters participated in the first Hoop It Up 3-on-3 tournament last week on South Campus.

    Basketballers, from as far away as Dallas, arrived to play in the competition sponsored by the South Campus African American Student Organization.

    “Twenty-five percent of the total amount raised will be donated to the Red Cross,” Annie Dobbins, AASO sponsor, said.

    Participants were divided into 15 teams according to age: 9-12, 13-20 and 21 and up.

    ”We wanted to do something that everyone could participate in,” Larry Dennis, AASO president, said.

    The game between the two youngest teams—although not a high-scoring affair—was fun to watch. The younger teams showed enormous heart. In the end, the Ballers prevailed over the TCC Lakers to go home in first place.

    Next to play was the 13-20 age group. These games were a little more physical with harder play inside the paint.

    MLK would go on to finish first because of their ability to move the ball around both inside and outside the paint. They were followed closely by VES 1, who allowed key second-chance opportunities in the paint.

    The older players seemed to have more structure and the largest number of teams. These games were fast paced, and when the pace did slow, trash talking began. Three teams dominated this group: Non-Fiction, Just Do It and No Limit.

    Non-Fiction featured one of the few outside games. Just Do it flowed very well as a team while No Limit had the most attitude. Non-Fiction fizzled out when they lost the aim on the outside shot, leaving behind Just Do it and No Limit in the final game.

    “If I can drop 15, we will win,” Cameron Alexander, player, said.
    The game was filled with disputing calls, but when the ball was in play, speed won the game. Alexander’s speed down the lane allowed him to make good on his word and lead his team to a 29-22 victory.

    Even before the final whistle blew, organizers declared the first Hoop It Up a success.

    “Since the tragedy of Sept. 11, we all need to do what we can to help. This event is one way we can unite the community,” Dennis said.

    The U.S. Army Recruiting Station donated information bags, t-shirts and caps, and Fed Ex contributed water bottles.

    Other sponsors included radio stations KHVN and K104, student activities and Dobbins.