Out-of-towners take Hoop D’ Ville crown

The Hoop D ‘Ville outdoor basketball tournament made its annual appearance at Glenwood Springs’ Sayre Park courts Saturday afternoon

“This has been one of the best days weather-wise that we have ever had,” said tournament director Mike Picore. Partly cloudy skies and a tolerable summer temperature were a welcome relief to players and spectators alike.

Picore and his wife, Kristie, organize the popular event that each year attracts former and present valley players to the basketball reunion. The tournament began in 2000.

“I still have a lot of fun putting this together,” said Picore. “It’s nice to see all of the guys every year.”

This year, Picore’s 6-year-old daughter Hayden even got into the act, serving as the artist for the design on the tournament T-shirts.

A group of former high-school standouts from Olathe, Montrose and Cedaredge, Total Family Wellness, took home the crown by working their way through the consolation bracket to claim bragging rights.

In basketball, sustained attention goes a long way toward victory. The champions—Billy Hutto, Greg Medill, Caleb Valdez, Ryan Hilbig and Alex Gilmore—minded every detail. They faced the prospect of winning two straight games against the undefeated Lawn Darts team. That group featured many familiar local names including Jim Yellico, Mason Yellico, Cam Horning, Jeff Powers and Seth Thomas.

Despite looking fatigued in the first game of the title showdown, Total Family Wellness gained the initial victory over the Lawn Darts by a count of 30-25. With the final game of the tournament set, both teams had to soldier on, fighting off the urge to sit down in the shade with a cold drink and call it a day.

The tourney’s finale was a back-and-forth affair from the get go, keeping the attention of the curious onlookers who were left at Sayre Park.

With the afternoon winding to a close, and the score knotted at 28 all, Greg Medill of Total Family Wellness received a pass down low on the block and lofted a contested, left-handed hook shot. It found the bottom of the net and delivered the winner’s spoils to the out-of-towners.

“I didn’t really think about the situation. I just shot the ball,” said Medill of his game-winning attempt.

Team Loaded took third place. It included the Roaring Fork’s Joe Salinas, Jassiel Petatan and Ronaldo Petatan, as well as Kevin Cortez, Daniel Bernal and Omar Sarabia.

This was the 18th year for the Hoop D ‘Ville tourney, which benefits the resurfacing, expansion and improved lighting at the Sayre Park courts.

Next Monday through Friday, the Game On Basketball Camp, run by former Demon Cassandra Irving, will take center stage at Sayre Park for all youth basketball players.