Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
They played game after game on basketball courts marked on street pavement around the Capitol.
This wasn’t the NBA Championship but an estimated 4,200 players showed heart and determination in Hoopla, the 3-on-3 basketball tournament that returned to Salem after a year off because of the pandemic.
“Hoopla is a part of the fabric of our community to many, and it was fun, emotional and rewarding to be part of reconnecting so many through such a wonderful and positive event,” said organizers Jason Unruh and Chris Roche in an email to Salem Reporter.
A total of 1,012 teams competed, a record in the event’s 22-year-history.
The 2021 version of Hoopla added a new clinic and a new division.
“This created a better way for people with disabilities to participate in Hoopla,” the organizers’ statement said. “This was all made possible by an important partnership with the Salem-Keizer School Dostrivt and sponsorship from Green Acres Landscape and iWingz. Those efforts were so worth it. The participation level at the clinic and in the division far exceeded expectations, and the whole thing was just a joy for all of us.”
The event was presented by Capitol Toyota and Dutch Bros. Coffee.
A basketball game between LS Hoops and CCC Pride on Court Street in front of the Oregon State Capitol during the Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
All Fun and (Gay)mes celebrates their win during the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
A basketball game on Court Street during the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Basketball teams converged on the streets of Salem for the annual Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Players warm up before a game during the Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Makiyah Villasenor, center, laughs with Mya Garza, right, as they wait for their team’s turn in the Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
KJ McCrae referees a game on Court Street during the Hoopla 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
With what could be its biggest turnout, Hoopla returns August 7
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