Basketball, volleyball return to Othello’s Independence Day celebration
Teammates work to return the ball during the volleyball tournament at the Independence Day celebration on Saturday in Othello.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald
A player takes advantage of a screen at the three-on-three basketball tournament Saturday at the Independence Day celebration in Othello.
A player drives to the basket during the three-on-three basketball tournament on Saturday in Othello.
OTHELLO — After a long absence, volleyball and three-on-three basketball returned to the Othello Independence Day celebration Saturday.
Steve Parris, one of the volleyball tournament participants, said it had been more than 20 years since a volleyball tournament was part of the Independence Day festivities.
Organizer Evelyn Miron said the tournament drew 13 teams.
“I didn’t expect to have that many teams,” Miron said.
She had four signed up at the beginning of the week, but the bracket filled by the week’s end, she said.
“By Friday, I had all these people texting me,” wanting to participate, she said.
The tournament was a fundraiser to help send Othello High School volleyball players to summer camp, she said, and four OHS players helped keep the tournament running.
After more than a year of lockdowns and stay at home orders, the tournament drew a good crowd of spectators.
“What a great audience,” Miron said.
Basketball tournament organizer Madison Martinez said it was the first one at the event in more than 10 years.
Seven teams signed up, all high school players, she said. With not much opportunity to play for 15 months, the teams were a little rusty, at least if the reactions of the coaches on the sideline were any indication.
The winning team combined Othello and Yakima players. In both the basketball and volleyball tournaments, the winning teams got T-shirts.
Martinez, the city’s parks and recreation coordinator, said there are plans for next year.
“We want to keep bringing it back,” she said.
“It was hot but it was fun,” Miron added.
