Pioneer Days gets ready to host 3-on-3, rodeo
A RONAN Pioneer Days 3-on-3 participants attempts a slam dunk in the Pioneer Days 3-on-3 tournament in last year’s 3-on-3 Pioneer Days tournament at Ronan High School. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
Steve Woll admits has lost count of how many 3-on-3 tournaments he has organized.
Woll, who organized numerous 3-on-3 tournaments throughout the region and nation and will be at the helm at the 23rd annual Ronan Pioneer Days 3-on-3 tournament, knows anyone can and does show up at these tournaments.
The tournament is set to begin at 9 a.m. at Ronan High School.
Pioneer Days has boasted of celebrity guests such as former Raiders’ player Howie Long and his son, current Philadelphia Eagles’ lineman Chris Long, who were among the notable participants in years past.
“A lot of times you won’t know who the players are until you read their names in The Leader or The Missoulian about them playing in state tournaments,” Woll said. “I really like the social aspect of it, and getting to meet people and seeing where they are from. Checking out the different style of ball and different skill level (of the participants) is pretty cool.”
The majority of participants in the 3-on-3 are players from the Mission Valley region.
“There are a lot of local teams but we’ve also had people in the past from Idaho, Canada, Washington that are on vacation (in the area) and heard about the Pioneer Days 3-on-3 tournament,” Woll said.
When Woll started the tournament 23 years ago, the tournament started small.
“When we started, we used to be lucky to get 40 teams and we used to have the 3-on-3 tourney on Main Street with about seven hoops,” Woll said. “Today, we have a minimum of 40 teams and 120 players so it has almost tripled in size and tripled the number of baskets that you need. The tournament is a good size, has developed a good reputation and people enjoy it.”
The tournament will vary in age from first grade to adults and will feature 13 different levels along with a Slam Dunk competition, a three-point contest, and a free throw competition.
The Pioneer Days 3-on-3 tournament also has a scholarship and this year’s winner of a $500 scholarship is Kianna Finley.
Woll said he is “optimistic” about the preliminary forecast for the tournament.
“I think the tournament enhances (the experience) of Pioneer Days,” Woll said. “The players are exercising and playing basketball, and that is a good thing.”
Pistol Creek Rodeo gets ready for Pioneer Days
The Pistol Creek Rodeo will host a three-day open rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday the Ronan Fairgrounds.
The rodeo will feature $1,000 added purse for Broncs and Bulls.
The show will continue at 9 a.m. Sunday, with a 3 p.m. performance featuring Wild Buffalo Riding.
Prices for the show will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The purses for the rodeo will include the following: Bareback-Saddle Bronc ($400 added, $55 EF, Enter twice, one per day); Bull Riding ($400 added, $75 entry fee); Minature Bull ($100 added, $45 EF); Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling ($350, $75 EF); Team Roping (enter twice, $300 added, $75 EF/Man); Ladies Breakaway ($250, $75 EF); Jr. Breakaway ($100, $45 EF); Ladies’ Barrell ($250 added, $75 EF); Jr. Barrels (14 & U) $100, $45; Kids’ Barrells (9 & under) No EF, enter once, everyone gets a prize); Wild Buffalo Riding (Sunday Performance).
For information: 406-676-3309 or e-mail peter@pistolcreekrodeo.com.