Holding court

To hear the Spokane Daily Chronicle tell it, basketball began in the city the night of May 25, 1899.

Section:Gallery

Sun., June 18, 2023

Alex Dobbins, 34, watches his son, Owen, 8, launch a shot on the Roosevelt Elementary School basketball courts, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Spokane. The pair were preparing for Hoopfest 2023. It will be the 20th time for Alex and the first for Owen.

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Alex Dobbins, 34, congratulates his son, Owen, 8, after the boy sank a shot on the Roosevelt Elementary School basketball courts, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Spokane. The pair were preparing for Hoopfest 2023. It will be the 20th time for Alex and the first for Owen.

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Owen Dobbins, 8, launches a shot on the Roosevelt Elementary School basketball courts, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Spokane. The boy is preparing for his first Hoopfest.

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Owen Dobbins, 8, pushes up a shot on the Roosevelt Elementary School basketball courts, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Spokane. The boy is preparing for his first Hoopfest.

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Max Johns has the soft touch for a basket against Jay Tesfay, left, and Owen Amble, right, during play on the Comstock Park Basketball Court, June 1, 2023, in Spokane.

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Will Amble, right, takes a long-range shot over Isaac Waxman during a pickup game June 1, 2023, at Comstock Park in Spokane. At left is Owen Amble and Jay Tesfay.

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William Stensgar tries a hook shot over Noan McNeely on Friday on the Peaceful Valley Park courts under the Maple Street Bridge.

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Shoes endorsed by pro basketball players were seen on the Peaceful Valley Park courts June 2, 2023, in Spokane. From middle left are Nike Air Jordans, Puma LaMelo Ball MB1 and Reebok Allen Iverson Answer shoes.

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Noah McNeely, 18, beats the defense for a bucket, June 2, 2023, at the Peaceful Valley Park basketball courts.

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William Stensgar looks to pass to a teammate on the Peaceful Valley Park courts under the Maple Street Bridge, Friday June 2, 2023, in Spokane.

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Nick McGann skies for a rebound over Patrick Reilly during a pickup game June 2 at Comstock Park. At left is Owen Amble.

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Patrick Reilly drive to the basket against Cristian Martinez during play on the Comstock Park courts, Friday, June 2, 2023, in Spokane, At left rear is Lance Harvey and Owen Amble at right rear.

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The Banana Kings Hoopfest team, from left, Viggo Robson, Emerick Withey, Owen Dobbins and Crosby Olson gather to plan an offensive play involving setting a screen on their coach Alex Dobbins, background right, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Roosevelt Elementary School in Spokane. The team members are all 3rd graders at Roosevelt.

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The Banana Kings Hoopfest team, from background left, Viggo Robson, Owen Dobbins, dribbling, and Crosby Olson run an offensive play involving setting a screen on their coach Alex Dobbins, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Roosevelt Elementary School in Spokane. The team members are all 3rd graders at Roosevelt.

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The Banana Kings Hoopfest team, including Emerick Withey, front, Crosby Olson back left, Viggo Robson, Owen Dobbins, gather for throw shooting practice, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Roosevelt Elementary School in Spokane. The team members are all 3rd graders at Roosevelt.

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Audrey Terry battles her way to the basket between Colton Fox, left in hat, Abisha Sartoe, hidden at left, and Dalton Terry, right, as she coaches the Dead to Me Hoopfest team, Wednesday June 7, 2023, at Thornton Murphy Park in Spokane.

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Audrey Terry rips a rebound away from Matt Fox, left, Colton Fox and Abisha Sartoe, center, as she coaches the Dead to Me Hoopfest team, Wednesday June 7, 2023, at Thornton Murphy Park in Spokane.

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Sadrian Sartoe rises to block a shot by Dalton Terry, left, as Colton Fox, Audrey Terry and Arisha Sartoe watch on the Thorton Murphy basketball court on June 7. Audrey is coaching the boy’s Hoopfest team named “Dead to Me.” Sadrian will play on a different team during Hoopfest.

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Hoopers fill their afternoon on the Franklin Park basketball courts, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Spokane. The court features artwork inspired by Spokane Tribal member George Flett.

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Hoopers fill their afternoon on the Franklin Park basketball courts, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Spokane. The court features artwork inspired by Spokane Tribal member George Flett.

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Hunter Clark, 30, spent his lunch hour practicing on the Hoopfest court in Riverfront Park on June 7. Hunt will play in his first Hoopfest. In the past, he’s watched from the sidelines.

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