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The annual Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is just days away with July 8-9 looming and people continuing to sign up.
With humble beginnings, Taylor Press area editor Jason Hennington is busy at work as he prepares for the 10th installment of this growing basketball tournament.
“It started because the former sports editor David Thompson and I were playing pick-up basketball at some different courts in town. We went to all these different courts and there were a lot of people not playing,” Hennington said.
Thompson asked what they could do to get more people out to play basketball in Taylor so Hennington suggested that they put a tournament together.
“I had a little bit of experience putting those on before,” Hennington said of hosting previous 3-on-3 tournaments. “It was the 100th year of the paper so it all kind of coincided: we put on this tournament during the centennial celebration. So it all pulled together and everything just fell into place.”
In order to make this tournament happen every year excluding 2020 when it was canceled due to COVID-19, Hennington must make a lot of moves in Taylor and the surrounding communities.
“I have to reach out to people, call people and go see people to get sponsorships. I advertise a lot for it to get players and I make sure that we have all the prizes and everything we need,” Hennington said. “I have to do everything to make sure it’s a tournament that’s fun and competitive but also a tournament that makes people want to come back the next year.”
Although Hennington doesn’t get to play since he has to host the event, there are people that have played the tournament every single year. This includes former Taylor High School boys basketball standout B.J. Tealor, who Hennington says is the reason why all players who have played at the varsity level (regardless of age) must be in the 18-and-older division.
“The very first year we had the age divisions, there were three guys who were freshmen and on varsity and they were right on the cusp of the 11-14 division. So they kind of just blew through everybody,” Hennington said. “So I thought we had to make a change there and it worked out for the better. B.J. actually said that he was glad that we had done that because he likes the competition.”
Over the years, Hennington has plenty of memories that have come from being the host of such a successful tournament. However, one comes to mind that has a special place in his heart.
“My favorite moment in the entire tournament is the Shining Stars. They’re the special needs group and they play,” Hennington said. “There was one year they were playing and in the last 45 seconds of their championship game, everybody came down out of the stands and stood around to clap for them. I’m not really an emotional guy but I teared up watching that. It was just awesome and since then, it happens every year. I’m getting goosebumps talking about it.”
For this year’s tournament, which will be held at the Taylor High School gymnasium, each three-person team with up to one reserve player will cost $50.00 with the men and women age groups divided into 1114, 15-17 and the 18-andolder divisions.
When it comes to people who have not signed up for the tournament yet, Hennington has a simple message for them.
“It’s all about having fun. It’s for a good cause but you’re going to have fun, you’re going to play some good competition and see some good basketball,” Hennington said. “You play in this tournament, you’re going to be part of something that’s greater than basketball. We’re raising money for scholarships and we give stuff away. It is very hard to come to this tournament and not walk away with something. Anybody who wants to play, this is where you go.”
Hennington stated he is blessed to make it to the 10th anniversary of the Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and is humbled by all the support and people who come out and play.
