A 3 on 3 night basketball tournament benefit proved to be quite a popular draw Saturday as an estimated 50 kids took part in the three hour event.

Bruce Whetten/The Daily Dispatch A 3 on 3 under the lights basketball tournament fundrasier Saturday night proved to be a big success as an estimated 50 kids took part in the event which was held at Wal-Mart. The event benefited Bryanna Salazar (seated with basketball) who will be leaving for Australia July 19 as part of the foreign exchange student program.

The event, which was held to help raise money for local DHS student Bryanna Salazar make her foreign exchange trip to Australia, took place on the concrete slab south of Wal-Mart under portable lights courtesy of the United States Border Patrol.

Eight teams signed up including one of Mammoth – located the other side of Tucson.

The teams played each other in a round robin format with the first team to score 11 being the winner and a makers, takers format meaning you maintained possession of the ball if you made the shot.

The Mammoth team ended up winning the event and George Watkins was the winner of a $50 certificate courtesy of Border Mart after winning the free-throw event.

The tournament drew spectators of all ages as some would stop and watch temporarily and cars would slowly cruise by checking out the action.

There was a DJ there providing music, food was being sold and the championship game was even broadcast over the public address system.

Tony Vasquez, one of the organizers for the event, said this was a great way to keep the local youth off the street on a Saturday night even if it was just for a couple of hours.

The cool weather made for a more enjoyable evening and despite a brief rain delay everything came off as expected.

Vasquez said he is planning another 3 on 3 night basketball tournament. Details will be forthcoming.

Special thanks needs to be extended to Wal-Mart who allowed the event to be held at their facility. Also thanks needs to be extended to Gabriel and Marisol Robles for the sound system; Lily and Modesto Pintor of Los Churros, Tony Vasquez and Maria Vasquez, Tony Rodriguez, Poncho Acosta, Frank and Rosa Lara, Raymond Vogt and Xavier Cardoza of the U.S. Border Patrol; Wal-Mart staff, Border Mart, Barbara Almaguer, Lorena Tapia KDAP Radio, The Daily Dispatch and all the participants who showed up to help make the event a success.

Bryanna leaves for Australia July 19 and will return to Douglas Dec. 13 – two days before her mom’s birthday.