Quincy approves street closures for Dru Gimlin tournament

QUINCY — The annual Dru Gimlin three-on-three basketball tournament will hit the streets of downtown Quincy for the 13th year on June 4.

The tournament, which draws hundreds of competitors and spectators every year, was approved for its usual street closures by the Quincy City Council during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night. Following a presentation from Quincy High School students who are chairing the tournament’s planning and operation this year, the council unanimously approved the street closures for the tournament.

The street closures include Central Avenue South from C to F Street, D Street from First Avenue Southeast through First Avenue Southwest, and E Street from Central to Quincy Hardware & Lumber. The closures will start the evening of June 3 and last until the end of tournament cleanup June 4.

The Dru Gimlin Foundation was founded in 2003, the same year that its namesake, Dru Gimlin, was killed in a car accident. Gimlin was a junior in high school at the time of the accident.

The Dru Gimlin Foundation also awards two annual scholarships to high school seniors, one each for a boy and a girl. It uses funds from tournament team entry fees and sponsorships to pay for scholarships and support of sport programs in Quincy. Keller said over the past 13 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $20,000 to local graduates and has raised nearly $90,000 to support its endeavor of assisting young athletes and local sport programs.