KELLOGG — The 33rd annual SilverHoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was one for the record books as thousands gathered around Kellogg’s City Park to enjoy a weekend of blacktop hoops. 

More than 900 players on 226 teams competed during the event, stretching the limits of the tournament court setup and requiring an army of volunteers to ensure the event ran smoothly. Organizers are happy to report it did. 

"What stood out most to me was simply the growth and size of the event," Ethan Wendt said. "Seeing all 24 courts active, the park full of people, and teams traveling into the Silver Valley from throughout the region really showed how much SilverHoops has grown. It has become much more than a basketball tournament—it is a major community event and a great opportunity to showcase Kellogg and the Silver Valley." 

Players as young as third grade and as old as their mid 60s made appearances on the courts, each one looking to bring home an extra t-shirt and, hopefully, having some fun along the way.

After several years of running the tournament in a traditional double-elimination format, SilverHoops switched things up a few years ago. Saturday is now used for pool play, while Sunday features a single-elimination championship tournament and a consolation tournament. The benefits of the change have been undeniable as the tournament has experienced continuous growth since the pivot. 

Tim Mitchell, a Post Falls resident and SilverHoops fixture, won one of the event's men's divisions with his North Idaho Xplosion team. In a post-tournament social media post, he called SilverHoops the best 3-on-3 tournament around — high praise when Spokane is just an hour away. 

"SilverHoops 3-on-3 is always the best tournament of the year," he said. "Always good to spend time with your family and friends there and run into old friends and have great laughs. Thank you to everyone that helps put the tournament together, you guys are awesome."  

According to Wendt, who serves on the event's committee, the tournament requires all six committee members, plus roughly 40 to 50 dedicated volunteers to monitor courts, referee youth games, handle registration, scheduling and bracketing, and manage many other tasks. 

"The event would not be possible without them," Wendt said. 

SilverHoops runs on community sponsorship, and this year Dave Smith Motors and the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce were among the headliners. Other major sponsors included Jim's Towing, Shoshone Medical Center, DG&S and Silver Mountain, among many others. Wendt also praised the city of Kellogg for its work and flexibility over the years. 

"The support of all our court and event sponsors allows us to continue growing the tournament while keeping it affordable for teams and families," Wendt said. "The city of Kellogg also deserves a major thank-you for its continued support and for all the assistance it provides in preparing the park, surrounding areas, and courts for the tournament. Hosting an event of this size requires a great deal of cooperation and preparation, and the city’s help is an important part of making the weekend successful."  

While local businesses, including restaurants, hotels and grocery stores, see increased foot traffic during the tournament, what makes SilverHoops an important event is the fundraising opportunity it provides local organizations. 

"One of the most rewarding parts of SilverHoops is being able to give back through the SilverHoops grant program," Wendt said. "Each year, the committee awards grants to youth organizations that help make the tournament successful. It allows the event’s impact to continue beyond tournament weekend by reinvesting in the local groups and young people who contribute so much to SilverHoops."  

Wendt is part of what you might call a SilverHoops legacy family, along with fellow committee member Gus Colburn. Both have spent years playing and volunteering at the event, following the examples set by their fathers, Jeff Colburn and Nathan Wendt. Nathan has been with the tournament since it was created in the 1990s. 

"Jeff and Nate deserve a special thank-you for the enormous amount of time and work they put into SilverHoops," Wendt said. "An event this large requires months of planning, and their efforts—along with the work of the entire committee—are a major reason the weekend runs as successfully as it does."  

    Cayden Honnerlaw dribbles past a defender during a Saturday morning game at SilverHoops.