Hoops event returns to Rose Festival

The 2nd to None and Orange Heart Foundation Men's Basketball Tournament, in partnership with the Wasco Rose Festival, will take place Friday, Sept. 6, and run through Sunday, Sept. 8. The entry fee is $5, and all funds raised will support the organization's youth basketball program.

"It's going to be a very competitive and exciting tournament," said Eddie Velasquez, coach and owner of the 2nd to None basketball organization. "We have a total of 10 teams, including a couple of teams from Los Angeles and Bakersfield and some from Wasco, too. Several of our youth 2nd to None travel teams, ages 8 to 15, will compete against other travel teams from out of town.

"We've been doing this for the last couple of years with the Rose Festival. It's been a good event. People like it, and we're attracting more teams from out of town."

Founded in 2007, the organization represents the best of the best, according to Velasquez. "It's a family-oriented group dedicated to giving Wasco youth the opportunity to have fun, improve their basketball skills and compete against others. Our goal is to prepare them for the season, give them exposure and maybe even help some of them play in college."

"We also want them to keep playing and learning the game so that they know the game well when they get to high school and can become skilled basketball players. We want to help these kids explore the world beyond our small town. We've taken them to beaches, Las Vegas, Arizona, LA, Rosarito and many other places to broaden their horizons and offer them new experiences."

The three-day tournament will be held at Palm Avenue Middle School in the Richard Reding Gym, beginning Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Playoff games are scheduled for Saturday, with the championship games on Sunday. Winners will receive a large gold basketball trophy and jerseys.