Hoopfest 2011: Saturday

Hoopfest has been a Spokane tradition for more than 20 years. It's the largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament and family festival of its kind. Teams hit the streets on Saturday, June 25, 2011, for the first day of action.

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Sat., June 25, 2011

A stiff breeze in the early morning rolls a Hoopfest banner that frames a court at Monroe and Sprague.

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Looking east on Sprague shows just one of a dozen downtown Spokane streets full of basketball competitors.

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Chain fencing and banners block off most of downtown.

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Sunrise peeks it's way west on Sprague Saturday and Hoopfest teams are already out on the courts warming up for two days of 3 on 3 competition.

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The team "Richard Simmons 4 " sports the retro shorts as they head out for their first game.

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Tens of thousands of fans and players crowd downtown.

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Crowds lined every store front and steps all over downtown Spokane.

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Lori Perez of Spokane captures some video of her nephew Devin Perez at his first game of Hoopfest 2011.

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It wasn't all about hoops Saturday June 25, 2011 in downtown Spokane, Wash. These two young men enjoyed getting their photos taken with young ladies in swimsuits on Spokane Falls Blvd. They preferred not to give names.

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Hoopfest brings out the best in basketball skills and hairstyles as shown by this young player on Riverside Avenue.

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Ben Stevens of Spokane goes with a retro look as he warms up for a game on Riverside.

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The Blue Ballin' Barracudas from Seattle dropped their first Hoopfest game so they decided that those who come and play should also sit and eat. From left are Jeff Caldwell, Michael May, Sam LaFavor and Jordan Devos.

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Curtis Butler leaps over a seated Tommy Boyer-Kendrick as they give a workshop of basketball skills. They are from Rockwood Performance of Spokane.

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Marcus Clift of Strokesville gets a drive to the basket past the defense of Drew Goranson of T-Cups Saturday June 25, 2011.

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Marcus Clift, formerly of Ferris High School fame, is surrounded by the defense of the T-Cups during their Hoopfest game.

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Bodies bang and fall everywhere during a morning game. From left are Taylor Roos, Marcus Clift, Drew Goranson and Dustin Beach.

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Eric Beal drives through the T-Cup team to score.

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Eric Beal , center, of Strokesville drives between Taylor Roos and Drew Goranson of T-Cups Saturday June 25, 2011.

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Trent Roos of Salem Oregon chases the ball and his shadow.

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Downtown Spokane looking east from Monroe and Riverside is one giant basketball crowd for Hoopfest 2011

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Downtown Spokane is filled with Hoopfest players and fans for the nation's largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament.

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Christian Wright , right, of "The Kitten Lovers" waits for his game on Main Avenue.

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Clash of styles is not unusual for Hoopfest. The shorts of "Richard Simmons 4 " clash with a more modern look at right. Boxers or briefs, Ginger or Maryann, the debate will go on forever.

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Hoopfest 2011 started off with cooler weather as Colton Poplawski, left, and Payton Miller try to stay warm on Riverside Avenue.

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Sometimes it is more than just basketball during Hoopfest. Two hoop fans check the cell phone camera to make sure the photo of the swimsuit models is preserved.

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Joel Ryman, right, looks for an opening to drive during his game as a member of team No Ceilings.

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Holly Tyler, left, of Acme Concrete controls a rebound during their game against Western.

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Mandy Morales of Acme Concrete turns to the hoop for a drive and score.

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Former Gonzaga University player Andrew Sorensen turns to slap hands with a No Ceilings teammate.

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A very tired Randy Harkey of Soul Sonic Funk (Spokane) wipes his face after a long day on the basketball court, Sat., June 25, 2011. He plays in the 50 year and older division. J.

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Former Ferris and Denver University star Eric Benzel scores two for the two-time defending 6' and over champions Team Tonix in their victory against Crew Ring a Rang.

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The action between We Pound Pavement and The Little Nuggets was up close and personal in Bracket 304.

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Former Gonzaga teammates Austin Daye and David Pendergraft were the Nike Center Court Saturday.

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Earl Hallman, 52, is all smiles as he gets helped from the hot pavement by his opponents. The Spokane man plays for Soul Sonic Funk.

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Former GU star David Pendergraft of the two-time defending 6' and older Team Tonix drives hard to the basket in a victory against Crew Ring a Rang.

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Looking north on Post Street from River Park Square, thousands of Hoopfest players and spectators jammed downtown Spokane.

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Khinh La of Kirkland does pullups as Marine Corp. recruit Jason Wilkinson of Spokane counts. The US Marines sponsor the Hoopfest Slam Dunk Contest at Nike Center Court.

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Gonzaga University star Robert Sacre' poses with Kelli Allison of Spokane, during the State Farm Battle in Seattle Autograph session, as her friend, Rebecca Estelle, snaps a picture.

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Santa's Little Helpers may have lost two games, but they posed for a photograph in their jolly seasonal uniforms.

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Hoopfest stretches north on Washington over the raging Spokane River.

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Geena Ruggeri of the Heavy Petters dribbles the basketball through her legs as she drives hard to the basket. "We're just awesome," said her teammate, Courtney Hamberline.

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Hoopfest slam dunk judges Nate Robinson of the Oklahoma City Thunder (foreground) and Terrence Williams (left) of the Houston Rockets liked the dunk they just saw during the semifinals of the U.S. Marines Slam Dunk Contest at Nike Center Court.

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Hoopfest is just as hard for the spectators as it is for the players.

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