More than 100 teams set to hit the streets for 3rd Annual Hoops in the Loops

KAMLOOPS — The Third Annual Hoops in the Loops basketball tournament is set to take over downtown Kamloops this weekend. The massive 3-on-3 tournament will run on Saturday and Sunday with more than 110 teams registered to take part throughout various age groups, from elementary aged kids to a competitive division playing for a cash prize.

Tip off for the first games of the weekend is 9:40 Saturday morning (June 10) with constant game action along Victoria street until 5:40 p.m. Tournament founder Sean Garvey noted that while the competitive division may be the best brand of basketball, it’s often the kids that draw the biggest crowds from the Kamloops spectators.

“By far the most popular area of the two blocks is the elementary area. Grandma comes down, auntie comes down, uncles are down and they have a bigger crowd than almost everybody else. It’s really great that it has that family feel along with some borderline professional basketball players,” said Garvey.

Last year’s event raised $7,000 for KidSport Canada. Garvey hopes to reach $10,000 this year.

Kamloops residents are encouraged to bring a lawn chair down to enjoy the festivities.

Garvey mentioned that besides the action on the court, the Kamloops Art Council will be on hand and there will be a games area for the family.

Also on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., the high-flyers will display their creativity in a dunk contest.

“I said that our dunk contest was better than the NBA dunk contest. And I think if the NBA had their best guys flying might be a different story but to have these guys come out and put on a show on for especially the young kids is really, really neat. The young man, Fareed from Prince George or Edmonton, if you watch him fly, it’s very impressive,” stated Garvey.