HOLLYWOOD — Basketball-loving youth came from all reservations to compete in the Youth Basketball Tournament from Feb. 1-2 at the Hollywood Gym. Boys and girls on 17 teams competed in the 10 and under, middle school and high school categories.

“It’s basketball season and we just wanted to do something for the kids,” said Ashley Wilcox, Hollywood Recreation aide.

The double-elimination tournament gave the losing teams a chance to get back into the competition.
Younger teams played late into the night on Friday, while high school girls’ and boys’ teams played all day Saturday; the boys’ final ended at nearly 1 a.m.

Participating teams were:

Ten and under: Little Hollywood Stars, Big Cypress, Hollywood Ballers and Brighton. Brighton defeated Hollywood Ballers 29-15 in the final.

Middle school: Rez Ballers, Brighton Boys and All Mixed Up. Brighton Boys defeated Rez Ballers 46-39 in the final.

High school girls: Around the Way, Trail’s Finest and Big Cypress. Around the Way defeated Trail’s Finest 53-47 in the final.

High school boys: Hollywood Boys, Team Chobee, Trail’s Finest, J.U.S. (Just Us Seminoles), Team O, Immokalee and Bloodline. Team O defeated J.U.S. 51-45 in the final.