Hooping for the Veterans: Downtown Texas Street Fest 3on3 Basketball Classic to help local American Legion Post
By DIEGO CORTEZ | The Mercedes Enterprise
Before the music starts at the Texas Street Festival the basketball nets will already be burning up from players’ sharp shooting and razzle dazzle at the second annual Texas Street Festival Basketball Classic 3on3 tournament.
@valleywood956 sign up for the Downtown Street fest 3on3 at Clutchbasketballacademy.com $50 early bird registration.#streetfest3on3 ♬ Chicago Bulls Intro Theme (Sirius) – Official Sports Bar Version – Playin’ Buzzed
Youth and adult players are welcome to sign up to show off their skills on their way to the championship trophy, and bragging rights to say they won the Battle of Mercedes on center court in front of Mercedes City Hall. Hoopers will be playing to help the J.A. Garcia American Legion Post 172 as all proceeds from the basketball event will go to help the local Veterans activities and local Post’s projects.
The games tip off early Sept. 3, at 9 a.m., and will continue until the last team is left standing.
The tournament is a double elimination tournament held on the streets of Historic Downtown Mercedes with hoops set up and located on Ohio Avenue in front of City Hall.
“There is still time to sign up online to play in this exclusive tournament,” Raul Garcia Jr, tournament organizer and head basketball coach at Clutch Basketball Academy. “It’s a lot of fun for the players, fans and it attracts a different crowd to the Street Festival.”
Last year eight teams participated in the men’s division. Many of the players who competed in the tournament last year were past and present Mercedes Tigers high school basketball players.
Former Tigers standout and defending tournament champion, Eliseo ‘Cheo’ Garza, said the first tournament was a success and the competition was great.
