Basketball tourney this weekend

In just a few short hours, the event that’s been anticipated by basketball player and spectator alike will finally be here.

The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday on Second Street in downtown Ironton. The event is sponsored by civic organization the Friends of Ironton.

Reached Thursday, tournament co-chair Cory McKnight was in the midst of helping set up for the event.

“It’s going really smoothly,” he said. “The workers are here getting ready. It’s been really smooth.”

Opening ceremony for the tournament will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The ceremony will include the Ironton High School Varsity Singers singing the national anthem and Rev. Steve Harvey, pastor of Sharon Baptist Church in Ironton who will be giving the invocation.

Macker founder Scott McNeal will also be at the ceremony.

“He always has a secret surprise planned for everyone,” McKnight said.

Josie Butcher of Coal Grove will be shooting the first basket. Josie, 5, has a rare form of cancer. Macker co-chair Beth Campbell has gotten to know Josie’s mother because their daughters are in the same dance class.

“I’m kind of excited about it,” Campbell said of Josie’s role in the opening ceremony.

This year 199 teams signed up for the tournament. That number is up from last year’s number of 137, McKnight said.

“We’re really happy to gain those 62 teams,” he said.

McKnight estimates that 85 percent of the players will come from the Tri-State area, though some have come from places like Columbus and Chillicothe.

“It’s really from a lot of places,” he said. “Mostly the Tri-State area.”