Play in a Three on Three Basketball Tournament This Sunday

Press release from the Live Like Geno Foundation:

The Live Like Geno Foundation will sponsor the 2nd Annual Play Like Geno 3-on-3 Hoop Tourney on Sunday, December 10th with registration at 8 a.m. and games and contests concluding at 5 p.m. at South Fork Jr – Sr High School Gymnasium, 6831 Avenue of the Giants, Miranda, California.

“Redway Courts is where it all started [back in the mid 80’s]. Geno had pride in the court and organized a cleanup day where we swept, cleaned, and painted new lines. ‘RA’ was painted in the middle for ‘Redway Arena’. It was a magical place where we learned to love the game; best basketball was [played] there, clean basketball, little trash talking, love, and great hoops that seemed to draw great players from near and far, all because of Geno,” said Beni Coma, childhood friend, South Fork High CIF-North Coast Section Championship teammate, and Mens Basketball All Conference player, Humboldt State University.

Play Like Geno is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for youth and adults to fundraise for the revival of the Redway Elementary outdoor basketball courts. Pricing for adult teams is $110 and youth entry fees are $75 per team, with a maximum of four players. Individual and team walk-ups are welcome. All participants will be given an event t-shirt at check-in and will need to sign a waiver prior to playing any games. Participants under 18 will need guardian or responsible adult to sign waiver.

The five divisions include: Youth Co-Ed (ages 8-10 and 11-12 years old) and Boys and Girls (ages 13-14), Men’s Open League (ages 18+), Womens Open League (ages 18+), and Over 40 Mens League (ages 40+). Playing Like Geno is an upbeat and fast moving style of play and the rules reflect that intention. Games are 20 minutes long or the first to 15 points; and in the case of a tie, a sudden death overtime is enforced. All teams are guaranteed three games. There will be prizes awarded for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams in each division and for contest winners. All leagues will play games throughout the day and can enter to win some of Geno’s favorite shooting contests. Non participants of the tournament are welcome to enter in contest play only, see registration table upon arrival.

“South Fork is known because of Gene Cotter. Gene is a true South Fork legend. Proof of that is whenever I’m out of town anywhere wearing a South Fork gear they say, ‘Hey, I remember a skinny little blonde haired guy who was an incredible basketball player 20 years ago.’ For him to leave that mark and or our school to be well represented around the world because of him, is the definition of a legend. His legacy lives on. He was the guy you wouldn’t see for five years… and then run into at a home baseball game and you’d start chatting like you see him every day of your life. He always had that smile that was so big and infectious. Everyone wanted to be around Gene,” said Andrew Olson, athletic director and varsity baseball and football coach, South Fork High School.

The Live Like Geno Foundation was created by Gene Cotter’s family and friends to honor his memory and continue his legacy of living with Passion, Positivity, and Purpose. The Foundation is committed to bringing positive, educational, and athletic opportunities to youth in California communities, in part by refurbishing basketball courts for local youth. Currently, we’re working with the Southern Humboldt Unified School District to fix up the outdoor courts at Redway Elementary School. There could be no more fitting tribute than to revive the place where it all began for Geno and give the gift of hoop to a whole new generation. We invite you all to Mission Up with us for this cause!

If you have any questions about the foundation, this event, or future Live Like Geno events please email [email protected] or visit the website at www.livelikegeno.org.
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