Sisters to host basketball 'shootout'

Hundreds of basketball players and their families will descend upon Sisters January 19-20 in the first of a series of winter basketball tournaments sponsored by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD).

Teams come from all over the state and Washington to participate in the Shootout Series Tournaments. Sisters Park & Recreation District anticipates bringing in 30-50 teams and 1,000-1,500 visitors each weekend. The influx of visitors provides a welcome burst of economic activity in Sisters' during the winter months.

The Sisters Shootout Series consists of three tournaments, January 19-20, February 16-17 and February 23-24. All tournaments feature games between fifth- through eighth-grade players.

This year SPRD is adding new elements to the tournaments to increase team and player experience. Girls will take part in a hot shot and three-point competition and the boys will compete in a slam-dunk contest and three-point event.

SPRD is bringing in the Noah Shooting Evaluation System; through film and computer analysis the athletes' shots will be evaluated.

The January 19-20 tournament is partnered with the Brian Grant Foundation. The Brian Grant foundation was established in 2010 and supports efforts to build awareness and education of Parkinson's disease.

Cost of the tournament is $250 per team; discounts are available for three or more teams from one school. Gate fee for spectators is $3 per day, $6 individual weekend pass, $16 family weekend pass.

"This is truly one of the great tournaments around the state," said Jerry Kaping, sports program manager for Sisters Park & Recreation District. "I have coached in this tournament for over eight years, and now to be organizing it brings a new exciting element for me. We are going to build on the history of excellence the shootout series has always had, while adding new and exciting features, and working on giving back.

"I am proud to be a part of a great new relationship with The Brian Grant Foundation to help spread the word about Parkinson's. Brian has been a great leader and community member in our state for years and any way we can give back, is only a fraction of what he has done for this state. I encourage all to come and see our students and the visiting students represent the future of basketball, it is going to be three exciting weekends."