Tournament raises funds and competition level
Highlighted by close games and buzzard beaters, the 11th annual Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament delivered in more ways than one.
Held Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14 at Taylor High School, the event featured 30 teams across four divisions. Three teams participated in the 11-14 age division, three played in the 15-17 division, 22 registered and played in the 18 and older division and two teams played in the Shining Stars game.
Tune Squad won first place in the 11-14 year old division. Team members were Jeriah Huff, Jackson Huntley and Rex Venza. Venza was named MVP.
The Knightz, (from left) John Foster, Eric Garza and Tavarski Wardlow, show off their rings after winning their second tournament championship.
Taylor Made, consisting of Jerimiah Rodriguez, Aiden Craft, Christan Sanders and Sam Ward, won the 15-17 age division championship, and Sanders was named MVP.
“It was a great event.
The competition keeps getting better, and people really enjoy playing and competing,” said Jason Hennington, tournament director and area editor for the Taylor Press. “I’m still amazed with the game play, sportsmanship and dedication every year.”
According to Hennington, the event raised roughly $2,500 over the weekend, and over $2,000 in prizes were awarded or raffled off. A scholarship will be awarded to a male and female basketball player in May 2025, and a donation will be made this summer to the Welfare Workers Club of Taylor.
In the youngest division, the Tune Squad, consisting of Jeriah Huff, Jackson Huntly and Rex Venza took first place in a 2-0 sweep of the Beauty Ballers. Venza was voted Most Valuable Player in the finals.
In the 15-17 year old division, the championship saw Taylor Made face Jelly Fam.
Taylor Made, made up of Jerimiah Rodriguez, Aiden Craft, Christan Sanders and Sam Ward, took the title on after a member of Jelly Fam missed a last second jumper. The MVP of the division was Sanders.
The Shining Stars also played their championship game.
Split into two teams of three, the Stars played a 12-minute game that ended in a 16-16 tie.
All six players received rings and Crystal Fields was named MVP.
In the 18 and older division, the clock was turned off and the game was to 21 between the Knightz and Splashstrop. With the score 19-18, an ejection for both teams gave Splashstrop an advantage, having the finish the game 3-on-2.
However, a corner jumper over two defenders by John Foster gave the Knightz the win 21-18 in the final.
Foster, who was named MVP, celebrated with teammates Eric Garza and Tavarski Wardlow.
Their third team member, Christopher Bamera was not able to play on Sunday.
“That’s how a tournament should be,” Hennington said.
“Intense games from beginning to end, and shaking hands and saying ‘good game’ when it’s over. I loved seeing that.” In addition to winning rings and other prizes, the top two teams in this year’s event will travel to Dallas Aug.
3-4 to play in the Dallas Elite 3V3 Basketball Tournament hosted by Mike Robinson II.
“It just shows that we are expanding and people are taking notice to our event. But, basketball is still just the avenue to bring people together for a fun, competitive event, and raise money for scholarships,” Hennington said.
The Shining Stars flash their championship rings after their game Sunday afternoon. Team members included Crystal Fields, Jessica Hill, Heather Hennington, Randy Guajardo, Barry Jackson and Larry Jackson, along with their coaches Kathleen Ambrose-Easton and Verna Guajardo. Photos by Larry Pelchat
BJ Tealer (right) goes up against defender Shavion Warren in a game between Snipe Squad and the Phenoms.
The Underdogs tried to fly by the Southside Buckets in a win or go home situation Sunday morning.
