Midnight Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tourney was a S-U-C-C-E-S-S

By B.L. Azure

Webb 0’Neill uses a pick to shed defenders en route to the bucket at the Midnight Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tournament. (B.L. Azure photo)

ARLEE — The second annual Midnight Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tournament for ninth grade and below school age students lit up the Thomas Lyles outdoor basketball courts at the Arlee Celebration grounds Thursday night.

“It was very successful,” said Ellen BigSam, one of the coordinators. “It went very smooth and the turnout was good. Lots of teams and lots of spectators.”

The event was moved from its original date the previous Saturday because of scheduling conflicts with the large 3-on-3 tournament at Missoula’s Southgate Mall. It is sponsored by the CSKT Tribal Health and Human Services to promote a healthy lifestyle and to shine a light on the ill effects of tobacco products. In particular the THHS Tobacco Prevention Program and the Diabetes Program.

The Thomas Lyles courts at the Arlee Celebration Grounds got a good workout Thursday. (B.L. Azure photo)

“We wanted an event that provides tobacco free fun for the youth and to stress to them the harmful effects of tobacco products and second hand smoke,” said Kristen Morigeau, THHS Tobacco Prevention Specialist. “We teamed up with the Diabetes program to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.”

The tournament and court is dedicated to Thomas Lyles, a young tribal descendant who lost his life in a traffic accident in the spring of 2006. Lyles had a love for the game of basketball and his mother, Patty Stevens spearheaded a drive to establish the outdoor basketball court and tournament so others could use them for positive activities.

“It was an awesome evening,” Morigeau said. “We had more teams than last year and we are planning on another one next summer.”

There were contestants in the all-male, all-female and mixed teams competition.