Joshua House’s Seventh Annual Hoopsfest was held last weekend with the best three-on-three basketball teams in the area playing in downtown Tyrone.
Teams from Tyrone, Bellwood, Spruce Creek, Altoona, State College, Claysburg, Philipsburg, Windber, Berwick, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Albany were on the roster.
Basketball games were played on 10th Street and Logan Avenue, with activities in the Tyrone Armory and M & T parking including street and food vendors, an old fashioned ice cream truck, family entertainment and giveaways of gift certificates and pizzas.
The day’s events featured prizes for all divisions, a dunk contest, three point contest and hot spots.
Corporate sponsors included: G&R Excavating—The Professional Home Wreckers and The Family Clothesline in downtown State College. Trophies and awards were provided by Quality Award in Altoona.
Women’s division winners were Ford’s Fab Four. The team included Rachel Vertraeten, Shelby Rance, Olivia McGovern and Bridgette Clarke.
Rance, from Bloomsburg, was named the Most Outstanding player.
The 60 and over division was sponsored by S&A Homes and the winning team was Smith Transport, including Jack Loya, George Nead, Tommy Smith and John Feite. The Most Outstanding Player was Loya, of Schellsburg.
In the fourth and fifth grade mixed division, the winners were team Sharp Shooters with Jacqueline Finn, Anna Wolfe, Kelly Leamer and Selena Damiano. Leamer, of Altoona, was named Most Outstanding Player.
The Team, consisting of Noah Davis, Ellen Crook, Lindsay Emigh, Katy Leamer and Emily Nagle took home top honors in the sixth and seventh grade mixed division. The Most Outstanding Player was Leamer, of Altoona.
The Fantastic Four, Krista Bonsell, Brooke McVicker and Casey Baird, won the eighth and ninth grade girls division.
Eighth and ninth grade boys winners were Main House Mafia with Tykeem Brown, Kenny Miller and Mike Conner. Tykeem Brown of Tyrone was named Most Outstanding Player.
In the high school boys division, top honors went to T Ballers, Eric Loose, Anthony Hennaman, Alex Lynn, LaMarr Robinson and Ross Black. Most Outstanding Player honors went to Robinson of Altoona.
The high school division sponsor was Lee Industries, who also sponsored the hot spot competition.
The recreational division was sponsored by MeadWestvaco and the winning team was W.E.A.K. Team members included Matt Gindlesperger, Rodney Sorrell, Joey Inman, Jason Spahn and Bill Fry. Spahn, of Altoona, was named Most Outstanding Player.
In the men’s competitive division, sponsored by CET Engineering, the winning team was Sausage with Justin Mauk, Lee Kensinger, Joe Rocco and Brendan Ritchey. Rocco was named Most Outstanding Player.
Penn Ave./Chop Shop with team members Fred Buck, Justin Ohler and Josh Shaub, took top honors in the men’s all star division. Most Outstanding Player honors went to Ohler of Altoona. The all star division was sponsored by American Eagle.
Other prizes were awarded throughout the day.
The three point contest winners were Tyrone’s Tykeem Brown in the youth division and Jack Loya of Schellsburg in the adult division.
The slam dunk contest was sponsored by Good Steward Software, LLC and the winner was DaShawn Stucky of Baltimore.
An award was also given to the team with the best uniform. The winner was Team Squeeze Eye, which consisted of Chris Woomer, Tyler Beckwith, Ricky Shannon and Doug Roseberry.
While this year’s Hoopsfest was a success, there are many people who help make the competition happen each year.
This year’s corporate sponsors were Family Clothesline and G&R Excavating.
Division sponsors included American Eagle, CET Engineering, Good Steward Software, LLC, MeadWestvaco and S&A Homes.
Trophies and awards were sponsored by Quality Awards in Altoona and court sponsors included: Albemarle, Bull Pen Restaurant, Diane Melling for Commissioner, Gardners Candies, Ice Cream Man, James E. Grant, Mike Fleck – State Rep. and Miles Financial.
Other sponsored included: Abundant Life Assembly of God, Ace Hardware, Antioch International Church, Bald Eagle Volunteer Fire Co., Blair Communities That Care, Brush Mountain Shoe, LLC (Shoe Fly), Burger King, Burgmeier’s Hauling Inc., C&L Lawncare, Central Penn Vision Associates, Citizen’s Bank, Clearbrook Family Medicine, Colonial Courtyard, Community Pharmacy, Community Worship, DiamondBack Truck Covers, Donny Beaver, Dr. Kruczay, Duey Paving, Ed Newlin, Feller Memorial Home, Fuoss Used Cars, Great American Fundraising, Healthy Alternatives, Jeff Long Construction and JJAN Financial Group, Inc.
Also, Joel Confer Auto, Johnston Construction, Jostens, Keystone Business, Maines Engineering, Marianna’s Fundraising, Martin Oil Company, Mayes Memorials, Mike Walk Photography, Olivia Village, omega Bank, Open Door Visions, P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Paint Rite Inc., Parson’s Copier Care, Inc., Pizza Hutt, PPG, Ray Burial Vault, Reliance Bank, Representative Jerry Stern, Rick Carra Painting, Sprankle Automotive, Suzanne Bigelow-Cherry Attorney at Law, The Beauty Salon, The Stewardship Group and Ward Trucking.
Those who helped with food were: Don Pablo\’s Mexican Kitchen, El Campesino, Hoss\’s Steak & Sea House, Imler\’s Poultry, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Martin\’s Food Market, Pacifico Bakery, Roaring Spring Water, Weis Market, DelGrosso\’s, Martin General Store, Bald Eagle Fire Hall, Burger King, Burley\’s, Joe\’s Place, Juniata Packing Company, Logan Beverage, Mac\’s Market, Pizza Hut, Sheetz Inc., The Family Chill & Grill, Tyrone Six Pack & Sub Shop, Uni-Mart, Wal-Mart, Sheetz Inc., Brenneman\’s Meat Market, Giant Food Store, Strickler\’s and Wendy\’s.
Also Bob Wilson, Central Distributors, Armory, Mitzi Varner, Radio Shack, The Loft, Linda Cruz, Kathy Stonebreaker, PPL propane, Sue Kensinger, Dr. Terri and Kim Babb and Travis Anderson.
Special thanks also goes out to the National Guard and local Armories. They offered help with various activities as well as provided basketball hoops.
The Hoopsfest tournament is the largest fundraiser of the year for Joshua House and helps offset about 15 percent of the annual budget.
For more photos, see page 11 of today’s Daily Herald.
