Dru Gimlin tournament returns to Quincy

QUINCY — The sounds of dribbling basketballs echoed through the streets of downtown Quincy on Saturday, as players of all ages gathered for the Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

Games were played on 19 outdoor courts on Central Avenue, D Street and First Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s always exciting because it’s a full day of basketball, which I think is a great addition for our community, and it helps support the youth,” Tournament Coordinator Stephanie Boorman said. “I just love seeing all the people out there.”

The tournament has seen continued growth over the past three years; 61 teams registered in 2022, 101 registered in 2023 and 124 registered for this year’s outing.

Teams from all over Grant, Douglas, Kittitas and Chelan counties traveled to Quincy to compete in the tournaments, as well as teams from Spokane and the Tri-Cities. Boorman said there were significant presences of teams from Cashmere and Lewiston, Idaho, where Dru’s siblings now live.

“It was a shock to see 101 teams last year, I was very surprised by that, and this year I was afraid that the turnout was going to be low because I did not get posters put together and sent out,” Boorman said. “It was a lot of word of mouth, social media, and my usually sending a text with a registration link to past participants.”

A late surge in registrations helped the tournament reach its highest mark in registered teams; 60 teams had registered with four days to go before the deadline.

“I think the bulk of our registrations came in those last two days, especially the last day to register,” Boorman said. “It happens every year. When I exported the team registration data, I could not believe the numbers that I was seeing.”

Proceeds from the tournament go to the Dru Gimlin Foundation, which supports local athletes who may not be able to afford equipment costs to compete in athletics.

“The idea of the foundation is to not let finances be the reason that a student does not participate in the program, and to give everybody the opportunity to participate if they want to,” Boorman said. 

2024 marks 21 years since Gimlin, a six-foot-eight-inch star with the Quincy High School basketball team, passed away from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in February 2003 at the age of 17. Gimlin’s jersey number was 21.

“His class was also celebrating their 20-year class reunion, so I was excited looking forward to seeing a lot of those 2004 classmates of his,” Boorman said. 

With the tournament continuing to grow, Boorman said she’s looking to start a committee to help plan future editions of the tournament. Those interested in assisting can reach out to her at drugimlin3on3@gmail.com. 

“I would love to get other people to join and create an actual committee to delegate different areas of the work,” Boorman said. “Maybe somebody’s great with marketing and visuals, and they can take over the Facebook (page) and create flyers and things like that. Maybe somebody is great with people and networking and can help recruit volunteers.”

Boorman thanked those involved in the tournament, including those who volunteered.

“The registrants, the families, the sponsors, the volunteers — without them, this wouldn’t happen,” Boorman said. “I can put everything together, but I can’t be on every court covering a court monitor position for the entire time”

Boorman also thanked the Gimlin family for their continued support and allowance of the tournament to be held in Dru’s memory. 

“Without them, this tournament wouldn’t take place,” Boorman said. “It’s just such an honor to be able to carry the tournament and to bring his bring his memory through.” 

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com. 

3-on-3 Champions

3/4 grade boys: Chiefs (Moses Lake)

3/4 grade girls: KC Wildcats (Ellensburg)

5/6 grade boys: Ris3 Allstars (Ellensburg)

5/6 grade girls: Ellensburg Ballers (Ellensburg)

7/8 grade boys: RW (Royal City)

7/8 grade girls: Eastmont Wildcats (East Wenatchee)

9/10 grade boys: Dru’s Crew (Cashmere)

9/10 grade girls: Kodiaks (Leavenworth)

11/12 grade boys: BBL Drizzy’s (Ephrata)

Women’s 18+: Wolfpack (Pasco)

Men’s REC: One Up (Quincy)

Men’s Elite: Rice and Beans (Quincy)

Chalk Art Winners

Youth — Brielle Baughman

Youth (group) — Bristol Knutson and Eila Bushman 

Adult (group) — Serina Ediger and Shiyah Grant 

    In addition to youth divisions, there were two brackets for men's basketball players at Saturday’s Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Quincy.
  

    A player from Cascade defends a driving player during a game at Saturday’s Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Quincy.
  

    Two players attempt to steal the ball during a game at the Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Quincy on Saturday.
  

    Saturday’s Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Quincy had teams competing from Grant, Douglas, Chelan and Kittitas counties, as well as teams from Spokane, the Tri-Cities and Lewiston, Idaho.