Two basketball standouts in the area will return for yet another installment of the Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament which enters its 10th year with creator Jason Hennington.
Taylor High School star boys basketball player B.J. Tealer, who graduated in 2016, is one of those people who has been at the tournament every year.
“I play in the tournament to continue to play with my teammates and keep the winning tradition going,” Tealer said. “This tournament is unique because there’s nothing else like in Taylor and we get to play where we were raised!”
Tealer and a few of his teammates at the time are the reason why the tournament implemented the rule that players who play at the varsity level must compete in the 18-and-over division.
“My first year playing was 10 years ago when I was a freshman,” Tealer said. “Everyone got mad at us because we played in the teenage age group. What many don’t realize is I was 13 at that time.”
The tournament has gradually grown over the years and Tealer is someone who loves the competition that the 3-on-3 tourney brings.
“Over the last 10 years, the tournament has transformed in many ways,” Tealer said. “When most of us started playing we were still in school. Now it is a competitive tournament for adults and kids to come out and support their town and earn bragging rights!”
Adam Graves, who has played in eight of the nine tournaments, has won the three-point and free throw competitions multiple times.
“What I love most about the tourney is it is homegrown and stays true to what Taylor is all about with togetherness and family,” Graves said. “You also get to play against people from the surrounding areas and the competition has grown over the years.”
Graves echoed what Tealer said and is fascinated by the growth of the tournament since the first one was held back in July of 2013.
“It has grown tremendously from the competitors to the prizes and the sponsors,” Graves said. “As with any great thing you have to start somewhere and Jason and the team are definitely on their grind to make it better every year.”
Graves is ready to take it to the 18-andolder division yet again, even if this might end up being his last year in the tournament.
“I played in the first tourney and am still going strong at 40. I may retire when I win this one,” Graves said. “I play in the tourney not only because of my love for the game but the fellowship and competition.”
