3-on-3 sees increase in teams from last year

A brief downpour helped cool things down at the 2017 Hot City Summer Slam 3-on-3 basketball tournament this weekend. During the course of the event, bumping music and plenty of action on the courts kept things lively, and a number of vendors kept players and spectators fed, hydrated and entertained.

Though 1994 was the first year for the tournament, this was the second year the event has been hosted by the Bobcat Boosters; the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce previously hosted it.

Ernie Mecca noted there were 83 teams this year, up from 69 last year. With each team having an average of four or five players, that means anywhere from 332 to 415 people were battling for the top spots.

And battle they did. Though Saturday's play was more relaxed, things picked up and got a bit more aggressive during Sunday's final matchups.

Mecca said the event is great for the Boosters, as well as the school athletic programs, and he hopes it's good for local businesses as well. He didn't foresee any changes to how it's run for next year, though there could be an expansion in number of courts and where they're set up.

Mecca also expressed his appreciation to the athletes who participate and the workers, volunteers and parents who help put it on. He noted, in particular, the increase in teams, as some might have been skeptical about the Boosters taking over the event.

Brandon Deromedi said he heard comments about doing different divisions next year, but not a lot of complaints. Deromedi expressed appreciation to the town in helping put on the event, particularly the police department, local businesses, emergency services and staff with Hot Springs State Parks.

Deromedi said the support for the event is great, and it all goes back to the kids.