KAPAA The winds could not stop St. Catherine School from hosting its first March Madness three-on-three outdoor basketball tournament Thursday on the schools campus in Kapaa.
KAPA‘A — The winds could not stop St. Catherine School from hosting its first March Madness three-on-three outdoor basketball tournament Thursday on the school’s campus in Kapa‘a.
“We were extremely pleased with the great skill, enthusiasm and competitiveness exhibited in the event,” said David “DJ” Adams, the school’s principal.
Winners from the first tournament included Trey Refamonte, Zain Shimabukuro and Makao Rubio-Cummings taking the boys elementary division.
Alicia Sa, Leilani Lovell and Lilah Harman topped the girls elementary division.
Team High Ground, with Eddie Silliman, Jerycho Sarsona and Johnny Mueller, took the boys middle school division.
Adams said the tournament was intended to raise awareness of the NCAA March Madness men’s and women’s national championship tournaments because Selection Sunday is March 15.
“We followed the same rules as used in the largest outdoor basketball tournament on Earth, which is the Spokane Hoopfest,” Adams said.
“It has been my good fortune to play in the Spokane Hoopfest for more than a dozen times. I sincerely hope to have keiki on Kaua‘i enjoy the event as much as thousands do on the mainland. We look forward to hosting this event again next year, and hope to expand to a lower elementary division with modified hoops and basketballs,” he said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.