Rain forces Swinomish Days hoop tourney inside

Swinomish Days stick games, canoe races and pow-wow sessions came off according to plan last weekend.

The big three-on-three basket-ball tournament was another matter.

A Saturday afternoon down-pour, with loud thunderclaps in the distance, forced a sudden fast break from – rather than on – the outdoor courts across Snee-Oosh Road from John K. Bob Ball Park.

The summer storm stood in stark contrast to conditions last year when searing heat made bottled water a precious commodity for Swinomish Days players and spectators alike.

This time water from the sky led to fast action off the court.

Or, rather, between courts.

Swinomish Youth Center staff quickly packed up basketball gear, stat sheets and concessions for transport to the Tribal gym a few blocks away.

Swinomish Senator Rudy Edwards went on ahead, passing the lines of vendor booths from which Native artisans and crafters marketed their wares, to begin readying the gym for play.

He and others rounded up chairs for the many fans enjoying one of the more popular Swinomish Days admission-free events.

The tournament traditionally draws players from throughout the Pacific Northwest, though this year’s brackets were long on local talent – of all ages and both genders.

La Conner High grads Budda Luna, Logan James, Jamal James, Brady Nelson and Cooper Zavala were among those hitting the hardwood when action resumed at the gym.

With a schedule to keep, tourney announcer Jesse Edwards, a La Conner High assistant basketball coach, was pressed into duty as a referee with others still en route.

Tournament games were 20 minutes in length or ended when one team reached 20 points.

Despite the rain delay, the tournament managed to wrap up Saturday night.

As scheduled, just not as planned.