Cruz Memorial Basketball Tournament at Trenton April 16

TRENTON, Nebraska -- The memory of a former Hitchcock County High School standout athlete will be honored in a special youth basketball tournament later this month.

The inaugural Zach Cruz Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is scheduled Saturday, April 16, at the Hitchcock County High School gym in Trenton. Cruz, a standout football, basketball and track and field athlete for Hitchcock County, lost his life in an automobile accident last year.

Boys, girls age divisions

The tournament will feature boys and girls action in three separate age divisions. Each division will have an eight-team limit.

Grades 5-6 boys and girls will compete from 9 a.m. to noon April 16. Grades 7-8 boys and girls will battle from noon to 3 p.m. High school divisions (grades 9-12) will compete from 3 to 6 p.m.

Team rosters will be comprised of three or four players. Tournament officials said teams must be named and must wear like-colored shirts during the competition.

Teams are asked to pre-register April 16 a half-hour before playing time. Each team must be present at the start of their respective age division time slot.

Scholarship funded with proceeds

Entry fees are $10 per player, and non-players will be charged $1 each for admission. Proceeds will help fund the Zach Cruz Memorial Scholarship.

Games will be half-court, 3-on-3, with a 15-minute time limit or the first team to 11 points (must win by at least two points). Tie games will be settled by free throw shooting. Referees will work at each court. Trophies will be awarded to each of the six division champions.

Concessions will be available throughout the tournament.

For registration forms or more information, contact Mike Tines, phone (308) 340-3028.