Elmo hosts another successful 3-on-3 tournament
AN ELMO 3-on-3 contestant attempts to shoot over his opponent during the later portion of the 3-on-3 tournament. This is the third-consecutive year the city of Elmo hosted its’ 3-on-3 basketball tournament started by event organizer, and Elmo-resident Howard Walker. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
AN ELMO 3-on-3 contestant attempts a jump shot during the later portion of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament Saturday afternoon in Elmo. This is the third-consecutive season Elmo has hosted the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
Former Ronan High School basketball player Anthony Camel got to see the game from a different perspective at the Elmo 3-on-3 tournament.
The 3-on-3 Elmo Tournament which was held Saturday in Elmo, received a popular reception in it’s third-consecutive year of existence.
Camel, one of the centerpieces for the Chiefs’ basketball program’s resurgence in recent years during the Mitchell Wassum era, will now embark on his next journey as he prepares to head into college basketball.
Camel, who is still recovering from a recent surgery, is getting mentally prepared for playing basketball at the next level.
“I played with some of my family over in a Native tournament in the Seattle area, and it was a good experience,” Camel said. “I got to play with a lot of older people, and the tournament was a lot more aggressive. I met some people I am playing with at SKC this year.”
Camel hopes to inspire future generations of basketball players as they move forward, as he watched several youth basketball players participate in the Elmo 3-on-3, which is an extension of the annual Elmo PowWow.
Howard Walker, the 3-on-3 event coordinator and the primary person responsible for creating the Elmo 3-on-3 tournament, continues to help build the popularity of the sport amongst Elmo and the rest of the Mission Valley.
Walker, who played collegiate level basketball in South Dakota and three years with SKC, said he felt basketball allowed him to see worlds outside of the Mission Valley.
Walker said the 3-on-3 tournament is his way of giving back to his hometown of Elmo.
“Basketball has taken me places I would have never gone without it,” Walker said.