The third annual Tyrone Mid-Winter basketball tournament got underway last night, and this time Tyrone’s sixth grade entrant is looking to defend the championship it won a year ago.
Tyrone captured its first Mid-Winter Tournament crown last January after losing in the finals in the tourney’s inaugural effort in 2001.
The Tyrone Mid-Winter Basketball Tourament began three years ago in part as a way of providing elementary basketball players in Tyrone with an opportunity to play in their hometown. For years, elementary boys teams were forced to play entirely on the road in weekend touraments and youth leagues in places like Altoona and State College.
Pat Campbell, who serves as the Tyrone boys basketball Elementary Coordinator, changed that in 2001 when he organized the first Mid-Winter Tournament.
It’s a three-day event that requires the use of both the Tyrone Area High School gymnasium and the Tyrone Elementary School gymnasium. Young hoopsters compete in two divisions – 5th grade and 6th grade – with all of the proceeds from the event going to the Tyrone Basketball Boosters and Tyrone Youth Basketball.
This year’s lineup features teams from Altoona, State College, Port Matilda and Philipsburg.
Tyrone’s sixth graders won’t be the only local entrant looking to continue its success in the hometown tournament. Tyrone’s 5th grade team advanced to the finals last year before losing by just one point.
Tournament play will continue with games this evening through Saturday morning with the finals taking place Saturday afternoon.
Entertainment will be provided at the high school on Saturday by the Tyrone jazz/pep band.
