400 Participate In Hoops In The Hood Basketball Tournament

CHICAGO — Hundreds of young basketball players ages 8 to 19 came together for the 12th Annual Hoops in the Hood Tournament in downtown Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 23. The event was held on Balbo Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive. The tournament is held each year to empower residents to "reclaim their streets and promote peace," organizers said.

Around 400 young athletes from 20 Chicago neighborhoods competed in the event.

“The most important thing to me is how cool it is that these kids have found a way to play together,” said Craig Chico, president and CEO of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council. “And in the shadow of Soldier Field, and Millennium Park, and the bandshell and after Lollapalooza, they know they’re somewhere special, they feel it. I can’t tell you how good it is for our kids.”

Hosted by Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago and the Chicago Park District, the tournament is about "much more than basketball," organizers said.

“Hoops in the Hood is about creating an environment where kids can just be kids and they can go outdoors and play. No one is worried about anything else. They meet people and feel part of the community,” said LISC Chicago Executive Director Meghan Harte. “The more we can build off of that, the more impact it will have.”

The tournament included 53 teams. The competition's Major League Champions, in the 15-19 year old category, received a box suite for a Cubs game.

Champions:

• Major League Champions (15-19 year olds) – UCAN Chicago
• Minor League Champions (11-14 year olds) – Shedd Park
• Girls Team Champions (11-14 year olds) – Franklin Park
• Pee Wee Champions (8-10 year olds) – Brothers Standing Together

Images courtesy of LISC Chicago, provided.