PABLO - It was basketball with a message at the Midnight Hoopz 3-on-3 tournament last Thursday night at Two Eagle River High School, kids had a chance to play competitive basketball but to also learn about various health concerns facing today's youth.

The tournament let 16 teams of kids stay out past their bedtime, since it was designed to go until midnight.

The tournament was open for youth between fifth and ninth grade.

"We like to target the kids that don't get to stay out as late," tournament director Ellen BigSam said. "This is a treat for them."

It wasn't too hard to see the tournament's underlying theme, as booths were set up for area health programs like Flathead Diabetes, CSKT Tobacco Prevention, Big Brothers and Sisters, Montana Tobacco Quit Line, SOAR Buckle Up, Suicide Prevention and Healthy Montana Kids. Members from the University of Montana basketball, volleyball and golf teams were also present at the event and available for autographs.

"We decided we would do something for middle school kids for healthy reasons," tobacco prevention specialist Cristen Morigeau said.

On the pavement around the tournament, there were messages etched in chalk with statements like "1,500 deaths daily from tobacco," joined with "the base of our business is the high school students - Lord tobacco" and "the tobacco companies have been known to place in-store advertising to catch kid's eyes."

Along with discouraging bad habits, like smoking, the tournament also promoted healthy living styles.

According to the American Obesity Society, 30 percent of children in this country are overweight and 15 percent are obese.

"As health care workers, we see what happens when people become obese," tournament founder and registered dietician Brenda Bodnar, said. "There are more health concerns like diabetes and heart disease."

Also a certified diabetes educator, Bodnar said that it's better to approach the obesity problem proactively.

"Rather than wait until they're obese, we have to have a preventative outlook," she said.

Originally held during the summer solstice on June 21 when it began four years ago, the date for the event was moved to Aug. 5 this year so it wouldn't compete with other events or 3-on-3 tournaments around the area.

"One of the unfortunate things in June was that it would get so cold in the evening," Bodnar said.

However, some players don't mind the cool down since it got rather hot playing on the pavement.

"I like it," 14-year old Josh Reed, of Arlee, said. "It gets cooler at night."

A large contingent of players from Browning came down to support the tournament, something they have been doing quite consistently throughout the years.

"As long as I've been helping, they've come every time," BigSam said.

Kids were given prizes based on how they placed in the tournaments, but competition wasn't the main focus. Becoming more aware about the health and tobacco concerns that face local youth was.

And if they picked up on the message, they're most definitely winners.