The Capital City 3‑on‑3 Basketball Tournament descended on the small town of Tenino on Saturday, July 25, turning the local gym into a bustling arena of skill and rivalry.
A Day of Skill and Sportsmanship
Players from across Thurston and Lewis counties gathered to showcase their talents, wearing jerseys that reflected their schools and hometowns. The crowd watched as former college athletes and current high school standouts traded baskets, each possession punctuated by cheers and applause.
Grace Eiswald of W.F. West drove aggressively through the paint, while Aubrey Amendala, a recent Tumwater graduate, answered with a quick jumper. Sophie Scott from Evergreen State College deftly threaded a pass to Paige Arko of River Ridge, who in turn found open space for a backdoor cutter. The rhythm of the game was punctuated by Caleb Washington, a former Evergreen State College player, who rose for a smooth layup that drew a roar from the spectators.
Jennifer Diallo of Olympia weaved past a defender before launching a contested shot, and Marcus Whittaker, head coach of the Capital boys basketball team, orchestrated the flow of play with a crisp pass to Trevontay Smith, a Yelm alumnus who attacked the basket with determination. LaBrandon Price, a River Ridge and Evergreen graduate, added his own momentum with a powerful drive, while Kellan Johnson of Tenino capped the first half with a confident layup.
The second half saw a flurry of action as Noah Terry of Rainier dribbled down the lane, Easton Guerrero of W.F. West maintained possession, and Brandon Yeung of Centralia looked to set up a teammate. Kora Askin from Toledo rose for a clean jumper, and Alex Salinas of Rainier executed a pump fake that left opponents off balance. Urijah Aalona of Yelm and Cayden Rowswell of Olympia traded baskets, while Jacob Hanson of Rainier and Hayden Hughes of Rainier each contributed timely scores.
Stella Herington of Olympia, known for her precision, nailed a free throw, and Norianys Morales of River Ridge prepared for a decisive shot. Landon Kaut, a Centralia graduate, closed the tournament with a reverse layup that left the crowd cheering. Throughout the day, coaches, athletic directors, and community volunteers kept the event running smoothly, underscoring the collaborative spirit that defines local sports.