Teams are Being Notified of the Cancellation
by Loni Rahm, photos courtesy of Jennifer Collins and Mike Haerling
Story Updated 8/17/18 – Slam n’Jam tournament originally scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled
Tournament Director, Mike Haerling, has announced that the Slam n’Jam 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament scheduled for Saturday and Sunday this weekend has been cancelled.
“We checked the air quality numbers and determined since it was above 200 we had no choice,” Haerling said. “It’s unfortunate we had to cancel so close to the event, but we are concerned about the safety of players and volunteers who would be exposed to smokey conditions.”
Haerling indicated that about 85% of the 101 registered teams are from out of the area.
Initial Story, Published 8/9/18
101 Teams are registered to participate in the 23rd Annual Slam n’ Jam 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament which will be held August 18 & 19 at Chelan’s Don Morse Park.
A quick glance through the registration team brackets will undoubtedly make you smile. But don’t let the fun t-shirts and clever team names fool you. These teams are here to play. And play hard.
While some teams come and go each year, there are some diehards who become hooked on the annual tournament. Andrew Burns is one of those. He has played in the Lake Chelan Slam n’ Jam since 1998. He still competes in the Men’s Open Division as “Sneakerhead” and coaches his son’s team, “Rebels” who play in the 12-U division. He says he has all the t-shirts from 20 years of tournament play, and also volunteers to help run the tournament, and set up and break things down.
Other diehards use this tournament as an excuse to return home. Katie Davis Smith is a Manson High School graduate who brings her two boys up from San Francisco to play. She is joined by Karley Nelson Foreman, another Manson High School graduate, who brings her two boys to Chelan from New York. The 10-U team they formed is appropriately called “Coast to Coast.”
Revenues generated by the 3 on 3 tournament supports AAU and other local youth sports activities. Last year, Lake Chelan Slam n’ Jam paid for AAU jerseys, provided sponsorships to youth athletic teams and programs, and helped support the CHS girls basketball team.
3 on 3 Team registration has already closed, but spectators are always welcome. Tournament play starts at 9 a.m. each day. Whether you are cheering on the Rad Dads, Wrist Tape Wonders, Red Rockets, Venom, Sockeyes, Hoops We Did It Again or one of the other 95 team competitors – you are guaranteed a win in the spectator fun column. And local youth sports programs will win as well.
Photos from the 2017 Slam n’ Jam courtesy of Chelan Parks Department
