Gus Macker holds court with hoopsters
It might surprise some that Buffalo, a town obsessed with football and hockey, hosts the nation’s largest Gus Macker three-on- three basketball tournament.
But it’s no surprise to Tom Cole. As an event manager on Gus Macker’s national staff, Cole travels from tournament to tournament each summer and has seen the Buffalo venue become the largest of the 42 Macker sites, surpassing the tournament in Ludington, Mich., played along the shores of Lake Michigan.
“It goes to show you this city loves basketball,” Cole said Saturday, as the tournament returned to Niagara Square for another year, “and it loves Gus Macker basketball.” “I think it will stay the largest, to be honest with you,” Cole said. “This tournament might be growing, actually.”
The number of registered teams increased by 40 since last year, to 962. That’s 3,848 players — almost half under age 18 — showing off their skills on makeshift courts along Delaware Avenue.
Play continues today.
“I think this is very popular because it’s got that urban, street-ball style to it,” said Cole, who is based out of Grand Rapids, Mich. “I love it. This is the most organized tournament I’ve ever been at.”
And, yes, while the weekend is about basketball, the Gus Macker has also become a favorite summer pastime in Buffalo, especially when the weather is as gorgeous as it was Saturday.
Daryll Hollins of Buffalo was there watching his 16-year-old son play.
“You make a day of it,” Hollins said. “You get out the blanket, the chairs, the cooler, the snacks. It’s cool.”
Loretta Mills of Norristown, Pa., was in Buffalo visiting family and made her first trip to the Macker, where she watched her 14-year-old grandson play.
“I never have been to an event like this. It’s interesting with all these kids,” Mills said. “Everyone seems to be well-behaved. I haven’t heard any obscene language, so I’m having a good time.”
The Macker is the premier summer event for many of the kids participating, according to Mark Myles of Hamburg, who was at the games watching his 11-year-old son play.
“After this,” Myles said, “there’s nothing else to do for the rest of the summer.”
Veteran Macker participants Zach Moore and Jeremy Mountain were back for another year on Saturday.
“It’s a good social event,” said Moore, 20, of Olean. “You get to see people you grew up with and played against.”
“It’s just a fun experience,” said his cousin, Mountain, 19, of Cheektowaga. “I can remember coming here when my dad and older brother played, and I just always wanted to play, too.”
Hanna Ito and Maggie Maloney were among the members of “Team Jonas.”
“It’s fun because you get to see everyone and get to know more people,” said Ito, 13.
“I like the food,” added Maloney, 13. “It’s really good.”
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