LLW holds 3-on-3 tournament

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Ironwood - Ironwood's Luther L. Wright K-12 School hosted its very own version of March Madness Saturday, as the school played host to the Ironwood Red Devil March Mayhem three-on-three basketball tournament.

Chad Novascone, one of the tournament's organizers, said 60 teams - made up of boys and girls in grades three through 12 - signed up to compete to be the best in their respective age divisions.

The tournament drew team from across the region, according to Novascone, with competitors coming from as far away as Minocqua, Ashland, Ewen and Ontonagon.

"It drew pretty good," he said.

In addition to getting the kids out on the courts, the event was also a fundraiser.

The money raised through the tournament benefits the Ironwood Elementary basketball program, while the district's baseball team operated the concession stand.

"No. 1, I think we're going to look at purchasing jerseys for all third, fourth and fifth grade boys and girls," Novascone said, regarding what the elementary program was hoping to use the money for.

He was pleased with how smooth the double elimination-style tournament went, with teams playing 20-minute games.

The grade three through six divisions played to 11 points, with teams having to win by two; while Novascone said the older grades played to 15 with the win-by-two requirement.

If needed, he said a sudden-death free throw shooting competition was used as a tie breaker

Novascone said he and the other organizers stepped up to take over the tournament this year as the lack of an organizer threatened to cancel the event.

"I just picked the ball up and said, 'Let's keep it going.' And it's been great, it's been great," he said.

Novascone thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who made the tournament possible, as well as the Ironwood Area Schools for letting the tournament take place at Luther L. Wright K-12 School.