Flathead Lake 3-on-3’s 20th year a slam dunk
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POLSON — There’s nothing like a dip in Flathead Lake after a full day of street basketball in the hot July sun, as competitors in last weekend’s Flathead Lake 3-on-3 tournament found. Anderson Broadcasting’s 20th annual “hoopfest” drew 260 teams to downtown Polson, and with four players to a team plus coaches, friends and family, the town’s population nearly doubled over the weekend.
“It’s a unique venue,” said Anderson sales manager Rich Forbis, who’s been organizing the tournament since its creation. “I think people just do a vacation thing.”
Forbis also credited downtown’s transformation into a multi-court basketball mecca with attracting thousands of street ball enthusiasts every year.
“I’d just like to thank everybody that helps out,” Forbis added, noting that volunteers and the cooperation of local businesses make the tournament possible.
The stakes were raised in this year’s slam dunk contest, which offered hoopsters the chance to win a $1,000 grand prize. Six men showed off their skills to a lively standing-room-only crowd Saturday evening in front the Cove Deli, with Connor Woodill eventually claiming the title of slam dunk champion. Ronan High School graduate Matt Luedtke wowed the audience with his high-flying moves — even soaring over another contestant standing under the goal in one round — but missed his final dunk and landed in second place.
Men’s and women’s 3-point contests preceded the slam dunk event, and Angie Redstar and Jarod Lovshin each sank 11 baskets to win their divisions.
Results
Youth - Male - 5-6
1, Bigfork Blaze 2, Missoula Heat 3, Mustangs
Youth - Female - 5-6
1, Little Desert Horse 2, Radical Rebounders 3, Hoop School Girls
Youth - Male - 7-8
1, Hoop School Too 2, Go Pink or Go Home 3, Mongolian White Rice
Youth - Female 7-8
1, Desert Horse Stars 2, Kalispell Breakers 3, Hawks
Youth - Male 9-10
1, Smokin Joes 2, Vegas Baby 3, Dillon
Youth - Female 9-10
1, Lady Blackfeet 2, Wolf Pack 3, Crossroads Shoot Out
Youth - Male 11-12
1, Flathead Lakers 2, Cougar Hunters 3, A Cat & 2 Dogs
Youth - Female 11-12
1, Sparta Girls 2, Blackfeet Ladies 3, Lady Bruins
Female - Open “A”
1, Troutslayers 2, The Diggin Warrior 3, Whooties
Female - Open “B”
1, Team Kaci Matthies 2, Fireballers 3, That Team
Co-Ed
1, Grills Gone Wild 2, Pitts 3, New Wave Auto
Open Male Elite
1, Tire Depot 2, Uncle Lake 3, Newdle
Open Male Recreational
1, Aeroplane 2, Tire Depot 2 3, Creative Running
6’1 & Under Elite
1, Honey Badgers 2, Wolves in a Pack 3, Penetrators
6’1 & Under Recreational
1, Hoop School 2, DD & Company 3, Jarvis
3-Point Shoot Female
1, Angie Redstar, 11 baskets
3-Point Shoot Male 1, Jarod Lovshin, 11 baskets
Slam Dunk Contest
1, Connor Woodill
