Nearly 100 players hoop it up in CF Alumni Tournament
CLARK FORK — Equal parts reunion and basketball, the Annual Clark Fork Alumni Tournament brought 98 basketball players and 39 volleyball players together for a fun weekend and a worthy cause.
The tournament raised more than $6,000, all of which goes to Clark Fork High School. Men and women, both young and old, teachers and students, and Clark Fork alumni and non-alumni alike hooped and spiked it up at Clark Fork High School.
Team Royal Blue won all three of its games in a very competitive eight team bracket to take the overall basketball title. The team included Paul Tallman, Josh Hays, Bill Bopp, Russ Warner, Kurt Stockman, Chad Peterson, Brian Poston, Ty Olson, Karl Neuman, Bob Hays sr., Shanna Worchester and Tamra Weltz.
Tallman is 71 years old, and he and Hays sr. have been playing basketball together in Clark Fork since 1959. Hays said the event, which is in its 22nd year, is as popular as ever.
“This is the most participants we’ve ever had,” said Hays sr., still sporting a mean jump shot. “It’s fun seeing all of the people come back and have a good time together.”
Hays’ grandson Josh Hays is a senior in high school in Nevada, and he made 17 three-pointers in one minute to win the 3-point shooting contest, edging former Wampus Cat star Mike Martin.
He also made 10-10 free throws to tie his father, Bob Hays jr., in the free throw contest, eventually winning in a shootout. Evidently shooting a basketball well is a Hays family tradition.
Team Royal Blue beat Team Grey in the finals, which consisted of Eric Jeffres, Brady Herman, Lance Siple, Windy Bolt, Josh Gilbertson, B.J. Orr, Lee Bidells, Bill Clayton, Cameron Jeffres, Matt Catt and Jake Jeffres.
Five teams competed in the volleyball tournament, which was won by Team Red-Orange, led by Cats coach Carolyn Speelmon, Bernie Stutzke, Becky Thornton, Jennifer Gauthier, Michelle Haase, Ashley Aumick, Heather Howard and Sierra McDaniel.
Hays sr., who owns Hays Chevron in Clark Fork, wished to thank the sponsors, faculty and all involved who helped make the event a success.