Hivelights w/ Max Oswald: Clark Fork’s annual 3-on-3 tournament was a blast from the past

CLARK FORK – A team consisting of some of Clark Fork’s finest former athletes won the 4th Annual Off-the-Couch Classic 3-on-3 Tournament held at the Filling Station Youth Center in Clark Fork this past weekend.

This year, the 3-on-3 tournament, which started in 2021 when the annual Clark Fork Alumni Tournament (5-on-5) was canceled, saw the most teams ever with nine making the trip. One team from Libby, two teams from Bonners Ferry, and a team from Coeur d’Alene all competed. In the past, the tournament was even able to draw a team from St. Maries, which shows there is interest in the region for adult basketball tournaments like this one.

A team by the name of ‘Clark Fork’s Finest’ came away victorious after defeating Sandpoint-based team, ‘Heart-over-Height’, 48-33 in the championship match on Sunday night. If you have been keeping track of Bonner County athletics over the years, the following team members who made up ‘Clark Fork’s Finest’ may sound familiar: Stillman Berkley, Patrick Young, Chris Cavanaugh, RJ Adams, and Kobe Banks.

Time for a blast to the past.

Stillman Berkley, who graduated from Clark Fork in 2012 and is currently the head coach of the Clark Fork boys junior varsity basketball team, was quite the football and basketball player back in the day. In 2012, he was named to the All-North Star League Team after averaging 11 points and five rebounds a game, and 17 points per game during the district tournament. It’s also fun to read old articles about when Berkley quarterbacked the football team during his high school years. In 2010, his sophomore year, he threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass in a 38-point win over Mullan.

Patrick Young, who graduated from Clark Fork in 2009 and is now the head coach of Clark Fork varsity football, is still a very active member of the Clark Fork community, and he can still hoop too. In 2008, Patrick was part of the Clark Fork boys basketball team who placed fifth at the 2008 1A state tournament; back then the tournament still consisted of 16 teams. During his senior year, a 2009 article in the Daily Bee reads “...and Pat Young stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, seven assists and five steals, leading the Wampus Cats to a North Star League home win over Mullan Tuesday night.” He was also a member of some great Clark Fork football teams back during that time period.

Kobe Banks, who was named twice to the the North Star All-League Team and was two-time NSL MVP before transferring to Sandpoint (2020 graduate), scored 29 points in the championship game. I have to admit, it was a pretty tall task for whoever was guarding him this past weekend. During his high school career, it was rare that he didn’t lead the team in scoring on any given night for both Sandpoint or Clark Fork.

It was really fun seeing these Bonner County legends compete against each other, especially the ones who were in the championship game Sunday. To think that there are so many other names that could be mentioned… here are some other notable, former athletes who were a part of the tournament this year: Stefan Buratto, a 2010 Sandpoint graduate who is regarded as one of the best boys basketball players to come through the program; Ryan Roos, 2020 Sandpoint graduate and former all-league player; Randy Lane, 2023 Sandpoint graduate and former soccer star who currently plays at North Idaho College; Robbie Johnson, 2018 Sandpoint graduate and former all-league player; Kyler Rice, 2014 Bonners Ferry graduate; Seth Bateman, 2019 Bonners Ferry graduate; Teigan Banning, All-Idaho baseball selection and 2023 Bonners Ferry graduate; Jesse Dunham, 2017 Bonners Ferry graduate; Charlie Abbott, 2020 Clark Fork graduate; and Cameron Garcia, 2021 Clark Fork graduate and two-time North Star League football MVP.

Of course, that’s not everyone who I could have mentioned, but it’s whose names stood out to me during my time at the tournament. Certainly, there was not a lack of competition.

I have to say, this tournament is a hidden gem. From the organizers, to the players, to those that supported and attended the tournament, it’s something special. The tournament, which acts as a fundraising event for the Filling Station Youth Center, makes it even more special. The Filling Station has to be one of the coolest places I have ever been to; I wish something like it existed when I was in high school. It's not only a place for this basketball tournament, but is also a nonprofit center that serves the youth of the Clark Fork Valley through youth groups, field trips, and special events.

What a great way to spend a weekend.

    Team Heart-over-Height placed second at the 3-on-3 tournament held this past weekend. Left to right, Jacob Eldridge, Stefan Buratto, Kyler Rice, Mark Elliston, and Jake 'Baller' Blum.