News >  Spokane

Still going strong: Hoopfest’s elder players look back on nearly three decades of competition

UPDATED: Sat., June 30, 2018, 9:13 p.m.

Hoopfest is an event for all comers, and athletes from second grade to age 77 squared off Saturday in the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, now in its 29th year.

Sports >  National sports

Matt Bouldin puts finishing touch on Few Good Men’s 84-83 win over Team Utah in The Basketball Tournament opener

UPDATED: Fri., June 29, 2018, 11:13 p.m.

The Basketball Tournament organizers added a new wrinkle to their winner-take-all, $2 million event with the Elam Ending. Under the Elam rules, at the first dead ball with under 4 minutes remaining, seven points is added to the leading team’s score to set a target score. In the case of sixth-seeded Few Good Men and No. 11 Team Utah on Friday night, the score was tied at 77 so the target became 84.

Sports >  Area sports

YYC Canada add fourth player in hopes of repeating as Hoopfest women’s elite champions; BAMM back to defend coed title

UPDATED: Fri., June 29, 2018, 11:28 p.m.

Janelle Bekkering, a former Gonzaga star, brings back an All-Calgary team, including longtime friend Stephanie Price (Lethbridge University) and Kimberly Lee (Waterloo University).

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Sports

On eve of Hoopfest, former Gonzaga great Nigel Williams-Goss leads skills camp for kids, talks about his future plans

UPDATED: Fri., June 29, 2018, 9:14 p.m.

Nigel Williams-Goss, the All-American who led to Bulldogs to the national title game in 2017, was back in Spokane Friday, giving a one-hour skills camp on the eve of the world’s largest 3-on-3 tournament.

Sports

Grip on Sports: It’s not Christmas, it’s better. Hoopfest is back this weekend

Fri., June 29, 2018, 8:26 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • There are many good weekends around here. Memorial Day weekend is always fun. Labor Day weekend means college football is beginning. The weekend that includes Thanksgiving always is memorable. Pretty much any July or August weekend is worthwhile. But the best one? That’s this weekend. Hoopfest weekend. Read on.

Sports >  National sports

Tall task ahead: Lee & Hayes knows repeating as Hoopfest 6-foot-and-over champions won’t be a walk in the park

Thu., June 28, 2018, 8:12 p.m.

In an elite division littered with ex-college stars, Parker Kelly, who helped EWU reach the 2015 NCAA tournament, believes a championship repeat will be an even tougher pursuit.

News >  Spokane

SkyRide opens for Hoopfest weekend

Thu., June 28, 2018, 5:44 p.m.

The Sky Ride at Riverfront Park will have its official opening this Friday at 10 a.m., just in time for Hoopfest. “We couldn’t miss this opportunity,” said Jon Moog, director of Riverfront Park. “People from all over the United States come to participate at Hoopfest, and it’s just a really good opportunity to showcase our city.”

News >  Spokane

City gears up for Hoopfest 2018

UPDATED: Thu., June 28, 2018, 11:01 p.m.

More than 6,000 teams will face off in downtown Spokane this weekend for the region’s annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Hoopfest.

Sports >  Gonzaga basketball

The Basketball Tournament Hoopfest pod: Round three for Few Good Men, Team Utah

UPDATED: Wed., June 27, 2018, 8:32 p.m.

The Basketball Tournament schedule-makers appear to have a keen sense of TBT’s short history as well as the best rivalry in the West Coast Conference. Sixth-seeded Few Good Men, which includes six former Zags, opens the winner-take-all, $2 million tournament against No. 11 Team Utah at approximately 7 p.m. in the Hoopfest pod at Lewis and Clark High.

Sports >  NBA

Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson remembers Hoopfest and childhood in Spokane

UPDATED: Wed., June 27, 2018, 8:33 p.m.

A decade before starring at Fresno State and signing a $60 million contact with the Miami Heat, Johnson attended Spokane’s Hamblen, Adams and Sunrise elementary schools as his mother, Jennifer Johnson, worked in aviation resource management at Fairchild Air Force Base.

News >  Idaho

Hoopfest: Warm sunshine; brutal heat stays south

Wed., June 21, 2017, 1:01 p.m.

The brutal heat that’s settled into the desert Southwest is expected to stay well south of Spokane going into Hoopfest weekend. Forecast highs in Spokane of 80 on Saturday and 87 on Sunday will be accompanied by plenty of sunshine. Have you ever attended or participate in Hoopfest? CH

Sports

What do you know? You can fill a Sunday completely even without sports

Mon., June 27, 2016, 8:04 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Anything happen yesterday? Other than thousands crowding the streets of Spokane, the M's pitching staff suffering from whiplash and Lionel Messi calling it quits in international competition? Oh, nothing then. Read on.

Sports

Up-and-down Mariners still have almost half a season to make things right

Tue., July 7, 2015, 7:50 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Lou Piniella was adamant solo home runs never beat a team. He was proven right again last night despite the fact Hisashi Iwakuma gave up four of them in his first start back from the disabled list. Read on.

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Sports

There is a lot to celebrate if you can find the games

Mon., June 29, 2015, 7:16 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We make no secret about it. No journalistic balance here. We are an unabashed Hoopfest supporter. Have been for more than a quarter century. And continue to be even when it is so hot you think your feet are going to melt. Read on.

Sports

Just another Spokane Saturday

Sun., June 28, 2015, 6:07 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • The M’s lost. There is more discussion of Russell Wilson’s contract. Hoopfest is in town. It’s hot. All’s right with the world. Read on.

Sports

Enjoy the weekend

Sat., June 27, 2015, 6:11 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • The next couple days are going to be long ones. And hot ones. And fun ones. Read on.

Sports

The best weekend of the year is almost here

Fri., June 26, 2015, 7:19 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Today is the calm before the heat wave, or something like that. Read on.

Sports

Now you will have this tune stuck in your head all day

Tue., April 28, 2015, 7:32 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • If you qualify for the super senior discount at your neighborhood restaurant, then you will remember a song called "The Name Game." We play a version of it today, though we're not using the bananas.

Sports

Change is the one constant these days

Mon., June 30, 2014, 6:24 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS College basketball is a year-around sport these days. There is the regular season, March Madness, recruiting and, this time of year, transfer season. Read on.

Sports

There are a lot of sore people downtown today

Sun., June 29, 2014, 8:16 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS I can tell you right now, though I could have told you last night as well: Even just watching Hoopfest is something you should train for. Read on.

News >  Features

If the rapture happens this weekend

Sat., June 28, 2014, 11:09 a.m.

Will anyone in downtown Spokane notice?

Sports

Twenty-five years of memories

Sat., June 28, 2014, 6:13 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS Every time I read a story on the roots of Hoopfest, I get a warm feeling. It is nice to know you were at the beginning of something. A trailblazer if you will. Or one of the original speed bumps, depending...

Sports Illustrated previews Hoopfest

Fri., June 27, 2014, 1:05 p.m.

SI's online site served up a glowing piece on the wonders of Hoopfest. You can check it out here.

Sports

When it comes to rooting for the U.S., everyone is all-in

Fri., June 27, 2014, 9:01 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS It was kind of odd last night, while watching the NBA draft, to be interrupted with a World Cup discussion. But I guess that's where we are right now. Read on.

News >  Features

Today’s Hoopfest court monitor

Wed., June 25, 2014, 8:10 a.m.

www.slate.com

News >  Features

How to watch Hoopfest

Tue., June 24, 2014, 9:10 a.m.

http://m.spokesman.com/stories/2006/jun/24/the-slice-have-questions-about-watching-hoopfest/

News >  Spokane

Sunday Spin: Inslee to pass on Hoopfest ‘14

Sat., June 7, 2014, 5:54 p.m.

OLYMPIA – For the second year in a row, Gov. Jay Inslee won’t be able to make good on a post-election promise to come to Spokane to play in Hoopfest. Inslee, an admitted hoop-aholic, played in the 2012 tournament during the gubernatorial campaign, and made...

News >  Features

Today’s Hoopfest court monitor

Fri., May 30, 2014, 8:05 a.m.

www.chasingthefrog.com

News >  Features

Potential Hoopfest team names here

Tue., April 8, 2014, 8:15 a.m.

www.darkstreamrecords.com

Sports

The last tear is the saddest

Thu., Feb. 27, 2014, 8 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS You know what's sort of sad for a sports fan? When you get to the final ticket or two of a season. When you realize there are only a couple of more games left before it all ends. Read on.

News >  Idaho

Twitter Trending, Facebook Fading

Mon., July 22, 2013, 5:20 p.m.

If you want to know social media, ask a teen. Better yet, ask a bunch of them. A group of Spokane teenagers who took part in a social media engagement project at Hoopfest – the Digital Street Team – agree that Facebook is fading and...

Sports

It’s not only the weather that’s hot

Tue., July 2, 2013, 7:26 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS Today seems like a perfect day to talk about hot seats. After all, if you are outside and sit down, you are on one. But does the term really apply to anyone in the Mariners front office? Read on.

Young men in pink

Mon., July 1, 2013, 10:21 a.m.

When two great-nephews, on two separate Hoopfest teams, arrived at their games Saturday in electric pink team shirts, I knew we weren't in boomer-color rules anymore. In my younger years, no teen boy would be caught wearing pink. But everywhere at Hoopfest Saturday, I saw...

Sports

It’s like a blow dryer out there

Mon., July 1, 2013, 8:02 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS It just might hit 100 today around here, which doesn't happen all that often. And you know what heat does, don't you? It dries things out. Read on.

Sports

If the intent is there, that should be good enough

Sun., June 30, 2013, 8:36 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS It may be summer, but we have recruiting on our mind. And it is all Christian Caple's fault. Read on.

Sports

Recapturing a little magic

Sat., June 29, 2013, 6:26 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS Every once in a great while, a game like last night's in Safeco reminds us why baseball is such a great game to watch, listen to or read about. Read on.

News >  Features

While dog owners are at Hoopfest

Fri., June 28, 2013, 3:05 p.m.

Their pets just might get together and decide to run amok. "Hey, check it out -- we're all service dogs." www.thebaraza.wordpress.com

Sports

Olynyk’s journey takes another turn

Fri., June 28, 2013, 8:13 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS A couple of years ago, when you saw Kelly Olynyk (if you saw him at all), he was the tall, skinny guy at the end of the Gonzaga bench, jumping up and celebrating whenever a Zag made a big play. Now...

News >  Spokane

Budget impasse keeps Inslee out of Hoopfest

Thu., June 27, 2013, 10:43 a.m.

Inslee goes up for a rebound last January in pickup game at governor's mansion. OLYMPIA -- The Legislature has until Sunday night to pass a budget that would stave off a partial state government shutdown, but the impasse will keep Gov. Jay Inslee out of...

News >  Features

Hoopfest spectators fashion preview 3

Thu., June 27, 2013, 10:15 a.m.

www.flickriver.com

News >  Features

Hoopfest spectators fashion preview 2

Thu., June 27, 2013, 9:45 a.m.

www.glcostanzawebs.com

News >  Features

Your Hoopfest court monitors for 2013

Wed., June 26, 2013, 10:40 a.m.

www.filmlinc.com

Sports

It takes an iron will to compete in these two events

Mon., June 24, 2013, 8:35 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS I sure hope whoever is in charge of the weather understands Hoopfest is this weekend. And it's not supposed to rain around here on Hoopfest. If it does, there will be heck to pay. Read on.

News >  Business

Why do some people hear the ‘Mosquito’ devices and older folks don’t?

Mon., June 10, 2013, 11:13 a.m.

On Sunday the SR ran a story on the plans by area downtown building managers to turn off, during Hoopfest, the "Mosquito" devices that were installed in the past year to deter loitering by young people. If you care to dive a little deeper, here's...

News >  Features

Looking ahead on the Spokane calendar

Tue., May 7, 2013, 8 a.m.

Hoopfest is on the last two days of the first half of the year, June 29 and 30. The next day, of course, is Canada Day. It's also the day when you can put into action your Second Half of the Year's resolutions. You know,...

News >  Spokane

Inslee: I’ll be there for Hoopfest

Wed., Jan. 16, 2013, 4:24 p.m.

Inslee goes up for a rebound in an Inaugural Day game at the governor's mansion. OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee is a self-proclaimed hoopaholic who likes basketball so much his staff organized a pick-up game to provide a break in Inauguration Day. He likes it...

Of Hoopfest, nephews and baby quail

Mon., July 2, 2012, 4:17 p.m.

Our backyard is home to several quail families. We watch for the babies, as tiny as a sneeze, and then marvel how fast they become teen quails and then, mom and dad quails themselves. In my large, extended Italian family -- 15 nieces, 25 great...

Sports

Another track and field fiasco

Mon., July 2, 2012, 7:03 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS There are a lot of lessons to be learned from athletics, not the least of which is how not to deal with a problem. "Oh," you think to yourself, "he's talking about the Olympic track and field trials." Was I that...

Sports

A basketball celebration

Sun., July 1, 2012, 6:45 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS Do you like to people watch? Enjoy competition? Need a long walk? Then Hoopfest is for you. If you hate crowds, the smell of sun screen or the pain of over-used feet, then it's better to avoid downtown Spokane today. Read...

News >  Spokane

Governor’s race comes down to Hoopfest vs. Bloomsday

Fri., June 29, 2012, 2:24 p.m.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee will be on the court Saturday at Hoopfest in a team that also includes Democratic state House candidate Marcus Riccelli. Their team, the Evergreen Dream Team, will play its first game at 8 a.m. Saturday on Washington Street between Main...

News >  Features

This date in Slice history (1997)

Fri., June 29, 2012, 9:30 a.m.

(Here are a few snippets from a bonus Slice that ran in the sports section. It was dedicated, top to bottom, to Hoopfest coverage.) Out of the way or you'll get vaporized: In places, the sidewalks were so crowded it was hard to move. But...

Sports

NBA takes a backseat

Thu., June 28, 2012, 8 a.m.

A GRIP ON SPORTS The biggest news today, other than what's coming out of Washington, D.C., of course, is the NBA draft. You would think that David Stern has enough pull in Washington to get the Supremes to put off announcing something as big as...

News >  Features

A note from a friend

Mon., June 27, 2011, 7:08 a.m.

"Hi Paul, "Hope you had a great vacation. Didn't see you at Hoopfest so wanted to relay what I thought was the best public-address comment of the weekend. "Preceding the playing of the national anthem on Sunday a.m. the announcer implored the Hoopfest masses to...

News >  Features

Have your answer ready

Mon., June 27, 2011, 12:10 a.m.

Did you do Hoopfest? 1, "Define 'Do.' " 2. "Yes, but I fouled out." 3. "Yes. My team won in the over-40 Passive Aggressives." 4. "No, but I came in second at Ironwoman." 5. "I can't remember." 6. "Was that this past weekend?" 7. "Not...

News

Me in Hoopfest? No way!

Sat., June 25, 2011, 8:53 a.m.

Good morning, Netizens... There is no way in hell I would ever attend Hoopfest. In fact, given the parking dilemma of monstrous proportions that takes place when you inject an expected 250,000 people into Downtown Spokane, most of my family are avoiding even passing through...

News >  Idaho

Poll: Ironman? Hoopfest? Bah!

Fri., June 24, 2011, 10:20 a.m.

Thursday Poll: For all the excitement in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, Hucks Nation isn't excited about Coeur d'Alene Ironman or Hoopfest. 77 of 132 respondents (58.33%) voted they weren't interested in either big sporting event this weekend. 38 respondents (28.79%) said they were more interested...

News >  Idaho

Poll: Idaho Solons Take Care Of Own

Thu., June 23, 2011, 10:53 a.m.

Wednesday Poll: 72 of 122 respondents (59.02%) view the $94,633 in bonuses given to legislative staffers during these hard economic times as an example that lawmakers "take care of their own." 25 respondents (20.49%) say bonuses meant some state workers are more important than others....

News >  Idaho

P.S. Turiaf Partners With Hoopfest

Fri., April 22, 2011, 5:48 p.m.

In this AP file photo from Sunday, New York Knicks' Ronny Turiaf defends Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce during the first-round of the NBA basketball playoff series in Boston on Sunday. Turiaf, the former Gonzaga basketball star, will be in Spokane for the 3-on-3 annual Hoopfest...

News >  Spokane

Hoopfest escapee arrested in car theft

Thu., July 8, 2010, 3 p.m.

An inmate who escaped from a Hoopfest work crew is back in jail after police say he tried to steal a car. Gary J. Todd, 29, was arrested Monday after a homeowner in the 3700 block of E. 13th Ave. found Todd trying to steal...

News >  Idaho

Did Shooting Give Hoopfest Black Eye?

Tue., June 29, 2010, 10 a.m.

Spokane's biggest Hoopfest in history is behind us but not before a gang-related shooting gave the event a black eye. Luckily the shooting happened right in front of an off-duty policewoman who played an integral role in bringing the incident to a swift conclusion. Detective...

News >  Idaho

David: Why I Don’t Attend Hoopfest

Mon., June 28, 2010, 3:28 p.m.

The biggest reason we have studiously avoided Hoopfest all these years, however, is that I develop a severe rash of a most private nature when I am in a vast warbling mass of unwashed people, regardless of their intentions or why they came together. Yes,...

News >  Spokane

DUI inmate who fled Hoopfest still missing

Mon., June 28, 2010, 11:30 a.m.

An inmate serving time for a drunken driving conviction still is at large after walking away from a Hoopfest work crew Friday night.Gary J. Todd, 29, hasn't been seen since he asked to use a portable toilet near the INB Performing Arts Cente after his...

News >  Idaho

2 Victims Discuss Hoopfest Shootings

Mon., June 28, 2010, 8:43 a.m.

Item: Victims talk about Hoopfest shooting/Erik Loney, KXLYMore Info: As five suspects sit in jail for their involvement in Saturday's shooting at Hoopfest, the two women who were shot in the leg are talking about the experience. "We were walking away and that's when we...

News

I didn’t attend Hoopfest… here’s why

Mon., June 28, 2010, 5:37 a.m.

Good morning, Netizens... Yet another year in the life of Hoopfest has come and gone, and all the numb sunburned bodies have finally laid their claims to fame and fortune or ill fame and misfortune as the case may be. But for me and mine,...

News >  Spokane

Deputies get quota for Hoopfest DUI patrols

Sat., June 26, 2010, noon

Spokane County sheriff's deputies have been asked to contact at least three motorists per hour this weekend as part of extra impaired driving patrols.The emphasis is part of a Hoopfest patrol effort that began Friday and includes aircraft. A Washington State Patrol Cessna plane will...