The season for basketball players may almost be over for area teams, but for some, the local courts are just heating up.
Gyms all over the area are playing host to a record 254 teams this weekend, all competing at the 20th annual Midway Snow Jam tournament. This event caters to all skill levels, ranging from travel clubs to recreational teams.
The kids may be starting younger, but organizers and parents alike say this is a great competition for kids to hone their skills.
"It's an opportunity for kids 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th grade range to; they've probably followed their older brothers around, had older brothers and sisters playing," said event organizer Doug Koster. "So it's a wonderful opportunity for them to play against players from similar sized schools and stuff from other parts of the state."
"I think anytime kids have an opportunity to play a game, play a new competition, learn sportsmanship and learn techniques about the game just, they feel like they're part of a team, they feel like they're part of something special," said tournament parent Eric Crouch. "And this gives kids an opportunity to come out and have fun and smile and compete and exercise and do things kids enjoy doing."
The Midway Snow Jam continues all day Sunday. Organizers hope to expand the tournament to 300 teams next year.
