Seventy-nine teams registered to play in the annual Dollars for Scholars 3 on 3 basketball tournament, which was held on April 18th. The teams began warming up at 7:30 a.m. and every player received a tshirt at registration. The youngest team, who called themselves the Court Magicians, was a group of 6 and 7 year old boys from Valparaiso. The team that claimed the oldest player was a family affair from Highland with William Mayer, age 53, and his sons Marcus and William, Jr. and Adam Anderson. The Dutch Boys, as they were called, won the Adult Green Division. The Shooters, with Bill Pendleton, Dan Clark, Jeff Bishop and Nick Weber were collectively the oldest with all team members over the age of 40.
The teams in the Adult White Division bracket found it difficult to beat Team Kimmel, who signed up Brent Kimmel, a VHS graduate who played college basketball, along with Ben Lieske, Hector Marchand and Mike Sullivan, all notable VHS basketball playing alums. Other VHS grads that participated were Ryan Osburn, Tony Hart, Jon Hanselman, Tom McGinley, Nate McGinley, Bo Gilliland, Paul Coburn, Brick Cernauskas, Keith Gore, Corey Crew, Trent Redington and Jeremy Marchand. A tough battle ensued for the winner of the 8-10 year old boys teams with the Players (Alex Smith, Caden Helfrich, Clayton Sanders and Curtis Jones) finally scoring the last point to beat Team Anselm +3 with Zach Anselm, Jameson Bisacky, Matt Koebcke and Zack Bales. The Valpo Cavs with Brody Crossin, Drew Paul, Alex and Eric Yiankes won the 11-12 year old boys division. The B.G. Wolves with Morgan Marshall, Brittany Slicker, Claudia Cooper and Hannah Keene won the 12-14 year old girls bracket. Da Big Dawgs with Justin Osburn, Christian Rouse, Tristen Rouse and Brendan Sutherland won the 7th grade boys division. Valpo Voltage with Jordan Galligan, Xavier Reed, Peyton Reed, and Alex Escobedo came through the loser’s bracket to win the 8th grade boys division. Nick Galouzis, Ian Watson and Adam Butterfield won the 9th and 10th grade boys division. 
The top three teams in each division as well as the winners of the Turkey Bowl (the loser’s bracket) in each division take home a trophy. An autographed White Sox Legends baseball bat donated by Attorney Mark Coleman was auctioned off at the tournament. Jeff Butterfield was the lucky winner! A special thank you goes to Mike and Willa Nuppnau for coordinating the tournament, and to our generous sponsors who support the event. They are the John W. Anderson Foundation, Urschel Laboratories, Crozier’s Dairy Queen, Cavanaugh Orthodontics, Valparaiso Family Dentistry, and ValpoLife.com. As always, the tournament was a fun day for everyone. It’s never too early to start putting your teams together for next year!