Seafest 2013 marked the 15th Annual Jim Ciccone Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge.
Jim Ciccone was born and raised in Prince Rupert, was completely committed to community and loved to play basketball — he did everything to make sure that children had the opportunity to play basketball. He was very involved in the All-Native Basketball Tournament Organization and it was that Committee that began the 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge at Seafest in his honour after his tragic death. They also established the Jim Ciccone Memorial Bursary Fund and this 3-on- 3 tournament funds the scholarship award.
This year, there were 34 teams competing in seven divisions. There was some good, stiff competition and, in true Prince Rupert spirit, all games were played outdoors, sometimes in the pouring rain, with no complaints.
Unfortunately two players in the Men's Division were ejected from the tournament because of displays of poor sportsmanship — which completely goes against the spirit of the Seafest atmosphere and against what Jim Ciccone and the tournament named for him, stood for — to have fun and play fair.
The organizing committee sends out a huge thank you to the referees, scorekeepers and all the volunteers who gave of their time in order that the 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge could happen.
Special mention goes out to Conrad Lewis and his family, who, for many years, were the principle organizers of the tournament. Jim Ciccone's wife, Betty, was on hand to present the awards to the winners.
Scoring by division: semi-final; final:
Grades 2/3: Gooders (7) vs. Four Amigos (3); Little Ballerz (4) vs. Gooders (7)
Grades 4/5 : Ironman 4 (5) vs. All Stars (6); Thunder (5) vs. All Stars (2)
Grades 6/7: Knights (1) vs. Dream Team (6); Coast Tsimshian (3) vs. Dream Team (7)
Grades 8/9: Funky Town Monkies (1) vs. Blue Demons (7); Team LeBron (3) vs. Blue Demons (7)
Grades 10-12: Tropics (3) vs. Funky Fresh Boys (7) Smokin' Trees & Strokin' Threes (7) vs. Funky Fresh Boys (5)
Women's: Aguirre's Golfers (6) vs. Rookies (9) The Young Workers (6) vs. Rookies (11)
Men's House: (W-by forfeit) vs. Rupert Them Haislas (11) vs. House (2) Rough Riders (L)