Basketball Teams Converge on Salem This Weekend For Annual Hoopla

Be Aware! Court Street in Salem is close west of 12th Street and several side streets are also closed.

Salem's 2006 Hoopla Photo by: Kevin Hays

(SALEM) - Not even recorded high temperatures expected this weekend will stop this annual downtown Salem event.

Staged on Salem's Court Street literally in the shadows of the Oregon state capitol building, Salem Hoopla 2006 promises to be the best 3-on-3 event yet.

A purse of $5,000 will be split among the champions of some of Hoopla's most elite divisions.

A four-game guarantee promises participation for all teams on both Saturday and Sunday. Referees and court monitors help ensure fair, clean play.

Hoopla is all-inclusive, making participation enjoyable for basketball lovers of all ages, sizes, shapes and skill levels...from the competitive college baller to the family recreational players.

Salem Hoopla helps the Salem community.

For starters, Hoopla brings thousands of folks from out of the area to boost the local economy.

Then, of course, Hoopla makes donations to many youth-oriented athletic and extra-curricular activity groups throughout the region.

In 2006, Hoopla is also working with Project J.E.M. and hopes to help that worthy local non-profit that is focused on helping youth through the power of mentoring.

Organizers are expecting as many as 625 teams, 2,500 participants and 25,000 spectators are expected to participate.

New this year to Hoopla:

Coaches Classic, a condensed three-on-three tournament featuring local high school basketball coaches.

A Hoopla All-Star team vs. Salem Stampede exhibition game takes the place of the Ducks-Beavers Alumni game on Saturday this year.

Magic Charlie, a ball-handling wizard, headlines the Friday afternoon Kids’ Clinic.

Salem Hoopla Schedule of Events:

Friday, July 21st

2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Team Check-In

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Free Kids’ Clinic Presented By Dr. Howerton & Dr. Hopkin, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Hoopla Coaches Classic

Saturday, July 22nd

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Team Check-In

9:00 AM – 8:00 PM 3-on-3 Tournament Games

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Contest Preliminaries

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM GI Joe’s Challenge Game

5:30 PM – 5:45 PM Capitol Chevrolet “Win-A-Car” Promotion

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Capital City Companies Slam Dunk Contest

Sunday, July 23rd

8:00 AM – 7:00 PM 3-on-3 Tournament Games