SPOKANE, Wash. — Thousands of teams and thousands of people descended on downtown Spokane on Saturday for the first day of Hoopfest 2024. 4,700 teams competed across 373 courts in several divisions and age groups.
Games on Saturday began at 8 a.m. and ran through Saturday evening. Many teams will be back on Sunday to make their run for the Hoopfest championship.
Slam Dunk Contest
Day 1 of Hoopfest included several activities outside the typical basketball games. Nearly twenty people participated in the Slam Dunk Competition at Center Court. Seven dunkers impressed the judges, one being Supersonic legend Gary Payton, enough to take part in Sunday's competition where one will be named the 2024 Hoopfest Slam Dunk Champion.
EWU Adaptive Athletics Exhibition
Another fun part of Hoopfest is the Eastern Washington University Adaptive Athletics Exhibition. The event, returning for the second year, gives wheelchair athletes a chance to get out on the court for competition. EWU Wheelchair basketball player Jackson Atwood said, "For a lot of people. It's very underground. People don't even realize there are adaptive sports.” Atwood added, “We're a huge sport. And I wish that people understand and can come out and play more of wheelchair basketball.”
Rodda Paint Contest Zone
Another fun event that took place Saturday was the Rodda Paint Contest Zone. Players showed off three skills including free throws, three-pointers and a hot shot competition.
Contestants were split up into adult, high school and youth groups.
Toyota Shootoff
Some of the top hoopers in the Inland Northwest showed up Saturday to take part in the annual Toyota Shootoff!
Over 100 people qualified Saturday for the elimination rounds on Sunday, including previous winner Nathan Remaley. He told KREM 2, “Well, we have been playing in this tournament for probably 30ish years, and we keep coming back. Every year we do this, and I have actually won it before!”
The Toyota Shootoff continues Sunday with the prequalification round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals & finals from at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WATCH: 2024 Hoopfest participants take part in several different events on day 1
MultiCare injury numbers
With so many players competing, there are bound to be injuries. MultiCare has four medical tents with over 100 team members working throughout the weekend. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, MultiCare has seen:
- 14 fractures
- 9 Achilles ruptures
- 5 ACL/MCL/PCL injuries
- 11 dislocations
- 1 concussion
- 85 strains/sprains
- 16 lacerations
- 133 wounds
- 7 blisters
Big names showing up to Hoopfest
Saturday’s festivities not only brought out big crowds, but they also brought out some big names from the area.
Former Seattle Supersonic, Gary Payton was at Hoopfest to sign autographs for the many fans in attendance.
Gonzaga’s Steele Venters and Boise State’s Tyson Degenhart also made their way out to downtown Spokane The two were spotted taking pictures with several fans. Washington State Basketball was represented as well! Both Ethan Price and Lejuan Watts took in Hoopfest on Saturday.
Games on Sunday tip off at 8 a.m. and will run through Sunday afternoon. For more information, go to spokanehoopfest.net, where you can more information about parking, a list of frequently asked questions about Hoopfest, food options, volunteer opportunities and so much more.
Hoopfest 2024
WATCH RELATED: Hoopfest drawing crowds to downtown Spokane
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