Basketball fans of all ages will be able to compete in the first-ever Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at FirstEnergy Park Aug. 23-24, when the Lakewood BlueClaws are on the road.
The Gus Macker tournament is held in 75 cities each year and more than 200,000 people compete.
"We’re excited about holding an event like this," said BlueClaws general manager Geoff Brown.
"It should be a great family event, and that’s what we’re all about."
Every team is guaranteed at least three games at FirstEnergy Park, where the parking lot will be turned into nearly 20 3-on-3 courts.
The Gus Macker tournament is a double-elimination event with a consolation bracket, and is organized into male and female divisions in "junior," "adult" and "top" categories.
The age, height and experience of all four players on a three-on-three team are considered.
The entry fee is $96 per team, which includes a T-shirt for each player, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Grand Slam We Care Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Lakewood BlueClaws and their sister company, the Trenton Thunder.
To register, go online to www.macker.com, click on "schedule," scroll to Aug. 23-24 and click on "Lakewood Tournament." Registration forms will soon be available at FirstEnergy Park.
The 3-on-3 tournament started in 1974 in Lowell, Mich., when 18 friends competed for $18, and has since grown into a national event.