A Grip on Sports: Like Christmas, Hoopfest only happens once a year – and this is the weekend
A GRIP ON SPORTS • This is going to be short and, hopefully, sweet enough. We’re off to downtown to watch the beginning of Hoopfest. It’s a family tradition.
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• One year we were in California for a family wedding. That’s it. Since Hoopfest began back in the Dark Ages, we have made the pilgrimage downtown to watch the biggest, baddest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. After we retired from playing, of course.
It’s what we do.
And we like to be there in time for the playing of the national anthem over the loudspeaker system. Not sure why, but it’s part of our tradition. Then we walk. All over the place, catching games of players we know. We have so many, in fact, we have maxed-out the app over the years. Too many teams to follow.
One or more of them will win a title Sunday afternoon. Happens every year. And just underscores my biggest disappointment in life.
In all the years I played in the event, my team never won a title. Yes, I know the reason why. I was on the team. But still, winning would have been something. Heck, it might be on the top line of my resume.
We – by that, I mean the two guys I was cheering on – made it to the final game one time, but we lost. And that’s the closest I’ve ever been. I still value that runner-up T-shirt.
Maybe someday Hoopfest will have pity on me and send me an honorary title. Sort of like when colleges hand out doctorates to famous alums or big donors. Then Kim can have “Hoopfest champion” chiseled into my headstone. Until then I will just have to enjoy the ambience and atmosphere like everyone else.
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Hoopfest: There is quite a bit to pass along, so we will get right to it. We start with yesterday’s news, including the 3x3 World Invitational, played with FIBA rules (as opposed to Hoopfest’s rules). Ryan Collingwood was there as a team from New York won. … Jesse Tinsley also has photos of yesterday’s happenings. … If you are headed downtown today (or just watching from home), you won’t want to miss sports editor Ralph Walter’s story as he reminisces about Hoopfest’s past. He was a lot better player than he lets on. … Ryan also has previews of the men’s and women’s elite divisions.
Gonzaga: One last look at the Gonzaga Legends event from Thursday night, courtesy of the Press Box pod with Larry Weir and Sam Adams.
WSU: For the second consecutive day the Cougars received a commitment from a defensive back. Theo Lawson has all the details in this story. … Ryan Leaf will be welcomed back to Washington State with open arms. The Rose Bowl quarterback, who spent time in prison before turning his life around, will join the Athletic Hall of Fame. … The toughest (or worst) basketball head coaching spot in the Pac-12? Those with the most knowledge, the Pac-12 coaches, are adamant it is in Pullman. That’s not surprising, is it? … Elsewhere in the Pac-12, there is a lot of news from Arizona, including one piece that is pretty sad. Also, former Wildcat Andre Iguodala says a former UA teammate is the best 3-point shooter in NCAA history. Actually, former WSU coach Tony Bennett still holds the career mark for 3-point shooting percentage at 49.7 percent. And, with the line moving back again, it may never be broken. … A couple of Oregon women’s players will team with two from Connecticut on USA Basketball’s 3-on-3 team.
Indians: Dave Nichols said goodbye to the Indians for a while (they are on a road trip) with this feature on pitcher John Matthews. … Spokane began the trip by snapping its losing streak, winning 8-2 in Vancouver. … Around the Northwest League, Everett won in Tri-City and Eugene had no hope in Hillsboro (notice the headline).
Golf: The winter was tough on a lot of courses, including Idaho’s Twin Lakes Village’s. But, as Jim Meehan tells us in his weekly column, the operators moved quickly to fix the damage.
Preps: Chuck Stewart’s youth sports notebook this week includes a look at the upcoming wood bat baseball tournaments in the area.
Mariners: The Astros rallied for a 2-1, 10-inning victory last night, one that might have been avoided if Scott Servais challenged an out call at the plate in which it seemed clear J.P. Crawford had scored. Later, Servais told reporters they had an angle that others didn’t that showed Crawford was out. Ya, right. … The M’s have three prospects in the Futures Game. And a couple young guys atop their lineup already. … Gene Warnick has his Out of Right Field recap.
Seahawks: Years ago my dad was eating dinner in Seattle when someone accosted him about the audacity of contemplating moving the Hawks to California. Yep, the critic had mistaken him for former owner Ken Behring. There was quite the resemblance back then. Now they both are no longer with us, as Behring died this week.
Sounders: Seattle welcomes Vancouver to CenturyLink Field today, not only dealing with missing players but a new turf as well. Joevin Jones is back though.
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• It’s my weekend to write the Out of Right Field column for the S-R. Not sure what the subject will be but I’m leaning toward some suggestions for improving baseball’s image and attendance. The game isn’t on life support but it’s not nearly as healthy as it used to be. And the 2019 Mariners are symptomatic of the problem. Until later …