Hoopfest raises $1,500 for Kent-Meridian girls team

A Hoopfest at Kent-Meridian High School raised $1,500 for the Kent-Meridian girls basketball team.

Twenty-six teams competed in the Hoopfest Dec. 3-4 at Kent-Meridian High School that raised $1

Twenty-six teams competed in the Hoopfest Dec. 3-4 at Kent-Meridian High School that raised $1

A Hoopfest at Kent-Meridian High School raised $1,500 for the Kent-Meridian girls basketball team.

Twenty-six teams competed in the two-day tournament Dec. 3-4 at the school’s new gym. The divisions for the 5-on-5 tournament included Open, Men’s 35 and Older, Women’s and Recreation.

Tournament organizer Marvena Kemp said the proceeds were $1,500.

Teams paid a $225 entry fee. The tournament had no sponsors and was run by volunteers. Expenses were $5,000.

“I donated my time to put the tournament on rest of the fees paid for the tournament,” Kemp said in an email. “After expense were paid the girls team got the rest.”

Kemp, of Maple Valley and the wife of former Seattle Sonic Shawn Kemp, said expenses included referees, awards, T-shirts, food, tournament brackets, supplies, scorebooks and other items. Two of the biggest expenses included $1,940 for refs and $1,000 for T-shirts.

“Tournaments do cost to host,” Kemp said. “They are not cheap.”

Marvena Kemp has helped run a variety of basketball tournaments, including the annual Reign Man Classic at Franklin High School in Seattle, a fundraiser for the Franklin girls team. This marked the first year Kemp has presented a tournament for the Kent-Meridian team.

Kemp said Kent-Meridian will use the funds to help pay for uniforms, travel to tournaments and other expenses.

The winning teams at the tournament were Sea-Town Ballers in the Open division; Ballys Boys in the 35 and Older group; Seattle Express in the Women’s and MCBL in the Recreation division.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Photos provided by Jayla Keowla
Picture of Jayla, Troy and Jaylen growing up combined with a photo this year.
Introducing the Kentridge Keowlas

Jayla, Troy and Jaylen are part of a long line of basketball players with the Keowla last name.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot to return to Chicago

WNBA point guard spent last two seasons with New York Liberty

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Julie Foree

Foree has been coaching for 15-years and currently coaches at Cedar Heights Middle School.

Kentridge players celebrate a basket. Photo provided by Robbie Mullikin.
Pack the Gym delivers a celebration of sport and community

Kentridge and Kentwood battle it out on the court in Unified basketball action.

Graphic provided by Kent school District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kent-Meridian

Farzad Karimi (Sr. Wrestling) and Harnur Kaur (Jr. Flag Football) named winners.

t
Kentwood hires Quincey Davidson Jr. as new football coach

Davidson has been on the KW staff for two years, graduated from KW in 2012.

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentlake

Junior swimmer Carson Haspe and sophomore gymnast Kayelin Giles take home this weeks awards.

The Seattle Thunderbirds traded Sawyer Mynio to the Calgary Hitmen for two players and four draft picks. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Kent-based T-Birds trade away top player for 2 players, 4 draft picks

Defenseman Sawyer Mynio sent to Calgary Hitmen as last-place Seattle builds for future

Kentlake’s Matthew Lawrence reels the ball in against Decatur. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake boys basketball drops sixth straight

Falcons search for answers in HS Bryce Demecilio’s first season.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Jerry Garza

Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Jerry Garza

Joshua Manzano makes a pass against Todd Beamer. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge drops first game of holiday tournament to Todd Beamer

Chargers just struggled out of the gate and couldn’t catch the Titans.

Graphic submitted by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kent-Meridian

Basketball players Aeriana Vilog (Jr.) and Christian Mortimer (Sr.) take home this weeks awards.