Kids have a ball at Jaycees Basketball Tournament

Annual tradition brings together 40 girls B-ball teams

Izzy Howie of Uncharted Shores in Crescent City shakes the hand of a teamate during a game at the Crescent Elk Cougars/Crescent City Jaycees GIrls Basketball Tournament at Crescent Elk on Saturday. The 39th annual tournament featured 40 teams. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

In its first game, the Crescent Elk C team found itself down 46-2 at the half to Round Valley.

Instead of resigning themselves to defeat, the girls took the opposite approach, head coach Mary Hosley said.

As Hosley talked to her squad, one girl excitedly turned to a teammate and declared, “Hey, we can still win this thing!”

This declaration was nice for Hosley to hear.

“It showed their positive attitude and not giving up,” she said. “It was great to see.”

The contest ended with Crescent Elk falling 66-6. But, win or lose, Hosley said that in the end it comes down to these middle school girls learning more about a sport they enjoy playing with their friends.

The 39th edition of the girls tournament bought out 40 teams from throughout the region for what is considered one of the elite basketball tournaments for this age range. The event began Friday and concluded Saturday at locations throughout Del Norte County.

Since the boys tournament began nearly 45 years ago, the emphasis has been on creating fond memories for the players and showing that sports is more than just wins and losses.

That’s why the top accolade handed out is the Sportsmanship Award, which every team that takes part strives for.

This year the honor went to Douglas City of Trinity County.

John Phillips has been involved with the boys and girls tournaments for a number of years and was one of the directors of the girls tournament this year.

“It went pretty smooth, although we were stressed out before it,” Phillips said.

This was the first year without Arman Gunnerson, who was the main person behind the scenes from when the boys tournament started to when he passed away last July.

Ashley Sweeney of the Crescent Elk C team looks for a shot while guarded by Cambria Taylor of Uncharted Shores at the Crescent Elk Cougar/Crescent City 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

“It you do all the preparations beforehand and put in the time and get it all ready, it runs itself,” Phillips said.

There are five divisions in the tournament, from AAA down to the C Division.

Saturday morning, two local teams, Uncharted Shores Academy and the Crescent Elk C squad, met in the consolation bracket of the C Division. Uncharted Shores Academy had won the teams’ two previous meetings.

This was the first year Uncharted Shores has had a girls team after the boys produced a squad for the first time last season.

Both Unchartered Shores teams are coached by John Hawken, who enthusiastically worked with his players before the game.

Uncharted Shores was the No. 2 seed in the C Division, but lost its first round game to No. 7 seed Douglas City.

“Most of the girls of our team never played organized basketball before this season,” Hawken said. “It’s about the experience and going out and having fun ... They have done really well this year. I’m proud of them.”

The squad has 12 players with girls from other schools like Foursquare and Castle Rock making up the team. A few girls also played last year for St. Joseph, which shut its doors at the end of the last school year.

Cambria Taylor, who previously played for St. Joseph, said it’s “really exciting” to play in the tournament each year.

“It shows our pride in our school and our team,” she said.

In front of the gym, Coulter Mann, the athletic director for the local middle schools and dean of students at Crescent Elk, ran the ticket booth as he handed out programs.

One parent from a school out of the area was unsure where her daughter’s team was playing and was a bit lost.

Mann was able to help her find her way.

“Let me see where they’re playing at,” he said as he looked at the program and found out she needed to go to Del Norte High School.

“I’ll give you the directions” Mann said. “It shouldn’t be too hard to find. It’s only a mile that way.”

He then proceeded to go outside and point the woman in the right direction.

“It’s just been great having so many people come out for the tournament,” Mann said. “It gives them a chance to find out more about our great city.”

Uncharted Shores ended up winning the game 28-13.

After the contest, Crescent Elk player Ashley Sweeney said she had fun playing and was just glad to be on the team.

“It was so exciting I’d got to be on this team since I’m only in sixth grade,” she said. “I’m enjoying it. It’s fun.” 

Despite the loss, Hosley was proud of the way her team played.

“This was one of the best games we’ve had this year,” she said. “I was pleased with how they worked together. It was fun ... The girls have just been so enthusiastic and positive.”

The boys tournament will take place in Del Norte County on March 2 and 3 and organizers are already getting ready, Phillips said.

“We want to continue this legacy for the kids,” he said. “That’s what we’re all about.”

For a complete list of how all 40 girls teams fared this past weekend, check out the Jaycees website at www.ccjaycees.org.

Reach Bill Choy at bchoy@

triplicate.com.

psotive”

The boys tournemtn wil take place in Del Norte County on March 2 and 3 and orginers are alredy gettign ready for that event. Phillips said.

“We want to continue this legacy for the kids,” he said. “That’s what we’re all about.”

For a complete list of how all 40 girls teams fared this past weekened check out the Jaycees website at www.ccjaycees.org.

Reach Bill Choy at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it