IRONTON, Ohio -- Streetball was on display at its finest in Ironton Saturday, with the annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament taking the downtown area by storm.
Players from near and far suited up with the best teammates they could find and went head-to-head for a little friendly competition. With courts packing the streets of Ironton from every angle, the city froze for one day and basketball took center stage.
The battles on the court began at 10 a.m. and ran all the way to 6 p.m. After team competition came to a close, around 10 players competed in the dunk contest for their chance at a $1,000 cash prize.
Tournament event manager Randy Drewyour was pleased with the 233 teams squaring off to be called the best in their respective divisions. Age groups ranged from 10-and-under to over 50-years-old.
"It's been a very good day of basketball and the weather has been just great," Drewyour said. "The local organizer Joyce Lynd and her staff have been working for a year to get all the I's dotted and T's crossed so this event could be possible."
Towards the day's end a primetime matchup between the Young UBC Ballers and the Hill Top Heat unfolded. Both clubs were dominating the 19-and-older division with two consecutive victories built on team togetherness and razor sharp talent.
The Young Ballers team captain Chez Valentine said his team had been on point throughout the day and he expected the same against the Hill Top.
"When we step onto the court we play as one," Valentine said. "I really believe we can bring this title home in our division."
The Ballers point guard, Darrell Peake, might have been small in stature, but he made up for it with great ball handling skills and the ability to distribute the ball on point to his teammates.
However, the Young Ballers didn't account for the Hill Top Heat's Antonio Haynes. The 23-year-old court wizard could pull up for a jumper or use his explosive speed to blow by every player on the court.
"My team wanted me to step up and lead the way so that's exactly what I did," Haynes said. "That's the best team I have seen so far and we probably will see them again."
Several times with the game on the line Haynes flashed to the hoop and continued to make each crucial basket. But the Young Ballers never backed away from the challenge, making the contest tight throughout.
It was a very physical display of basketball that included several heated arguments over various calls. Despite the high level of intensity, both teams maintained their tempers and delivered an exciting basketball game with no real incident.
After the 25-minute maximum time limit was reached, the Hill Top Heat just squeaked past the Young UBC Ballers 14-13.
Since it's a double elimination format, these two top-notch squads could meet again in another down-to-the-wire battle.
In the winner's brackets, each game is won by reaching 20 points, while 15 points is the number needed in the loser's brackets. But physical games like the Ballers against the Heat are often settled by what team nets the most points in the 25-minute time frame.
Rick Dayton, who coached his 10- and 12-year-old-sons in the tournament, said both of his boys enjoy the action and competition.
"We're right in the middle of baseball season, so this gives them a break from it," Dayton said. "This style of basketball is just like playing in the backyard and they really love it."
The tournament resumes today beginning at 8 a.m.
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