Locals shine at Hoopfest

Starting in 1990, Spokane's Hoopfest has grown to be the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. It is held the last weekend in June and this year 42 city blocks were shut down in order to set up 454 courts. It is estimated that 225,000 fans watched almost 28,000 players play basketball.

Players come in from 42 countries to play on about 7,000 teams. It is believed that the second-largest 3-on-3 tournament has only about 1500 teams, so Spokane's Hoopfest is considerably bigger.

A survey done independently of Hoopfest estimated that the event bring 38 million dollars into Spokane's economy as visitors and residents spend money on hotels, shopping, entertainment and dining. Since 1990, the Hoopfest Association has given 1.5 million dollars to charity.

The Record received news and photos of four teams with Odessa participants. Sam Schafer and Shane Whitaker of Odessa and Kylee Watkins of Davenport played as The Killer Kathys and won first place in their bracket. Macie Hopkins, Caitlyn Schuh, Maddy Wagner, and Lainey Jacobsen of the Charger Chicks took second place in their bracket. Jacob DeWulf and Andy Schafer of Odessa and Ronnie Wilke of Davenport also competed as a team. Daeton Deife, Drew Hardung and Gage Starkel as the Odessa Titan Boys, won one game and had a lot of fun.

It anyone has photos or information on other team, let The Record know for publication next week.