Organizes hope Ben & Alex 3 on 3 Tournament will become a tradition

By combining a desire to start a basketball tournament and a wish to help a good cause, Jeremy Beck decided to organize the inaugural Ben and Alex 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, which will take place on May 16 at Laconia High School.

However, he's hoping a few more teams will register for the tournament, and that it will grow to become a yearly event that will get the community to play more basketball while helping local graduates continue their education.

Funds raised through the tournament will benefit a scholarship fund in memory of Alex Rowson and Ben Emmond, two local teenaged friends who died in an auto accident a little more than one year ago.

Beck, a graduate of Laconia High School who coaches in the Lou Athanas Youth Basketball League, said he had been thinking about starting a tournament when he heard about the creation of the scholarship fund in the wake of the tragedy that claimed the two teenagers' lives. "I just saw how it hit the community, so I worked to put something together," he said. "I wanted to put something together to raise money for a good cause."

So far, there are about 15 teams who have signed up to participate. There will be three age brackets: one for middle school, one for high school, and one for adult teams. Co-ed teams are welcomed, and teams can have as many as four players if they wish to have a substitute. The games will be quick and half-court, with each team playing until they've lost twice. The last team standing wins.

Beck says he hears a lot of talk about the tournament on the basketball courts and he thinks a flood of teams will sign up at the last minute. The registration deadline is May 8, although teams that sign up by April 24 will receive free T-shirts. The cost to register is $40 per team.

The first year is the most challenging, he's learning. Some business partners — local restaurants, Piche's Ski & Sports, HROplus and Vitamin Water — have signed on, but many others have responded by saying they'll see what the first tournament is like and help out next year.

But if the organizers can pull it off, this year's teams will come back next year, sponsorships will be easier to come by and the excitement about a good local basketball tournament will feed itself.

"I'm hoping for a big turnout, and I'm hoping for a yearly thing," Beck said.

Registration forms for the tournament can be picked up from Jim Chase at Laconia High School or downloaded from the school's website, www.laconia.k12.nh.us/lhs/. Once filled out, forms can be mailed to: Laconia High School, 345 Union Ave Laconia, 03246, care of Jim Chase/3 on 3.

Donations of raffle items, snacks and drinks for players, or direct donations to the scholarship fund are happily accepted. A few more referees are needed, too. Anyone interested in helping out can email benandalex3on3@hotmail.com for more information.