The O-W Men’s Alumni Basketball tournament took place on Saturday, March 28. This year consisted of a 5-team double elimination bracket. First round action saw the returning champs (2023-24) take on the team with the youngest players (2021-22 & 25). This match-up started out close but the score quickly spread in the second half as the returning champ’s height advantage and shooting proved to be too much. In the second game last year’s runners-up (2015-17) took on a squad hungry for wins (2019-20). The 2015-17 squad were able to take a 25-4 lead into half-time and never looked back sealing the win. The last team of the tournament (2009 & under) saw action against the returning champs. Some “old-school” moves and gameplay put some pressure on the younger guys but they kept their winning streak alive.
Our first game of the losing bracket consisted of 2021-22 & 25 taking on 2019-20. Team 2021-22 & 25 came out hot shooting very well and grabbing the lead. A fast-paced game that was too much for 2019-20 to get back into. Next was another re-match between 2023-24 and 2015-17. The 2015-17 squad struggled shooting and found themselves in a hole early. The size and athleticism of 2023-24 proved to be tough once again as they landed themselves a return to the championship game. Back down to the losing bracket 2021-22 & 25 faced off with 2009 & under. After a tough back and forth game 2009 & under found themselves down late and had to make some adjustments to try and finish strong. They did just that winning the game by 1 right at the end.
Finishing action in the afternoon started with the 3-point contest semi-finals where the top five shooters (Sam Olson, Kevin Milliren, Kolton Kaduce, Mason Gay, and Marlin Pogodzinski) faced off for a spot in the finals. Gay and Pogodzinski both advanced, scoring 13 and 15 respectively. The next game to be played was between 2015-17 and 2009 & under, with the winner advancing to the championship game. 2015-17 struggled to get anything going early as 2009 & under took a 26-11 lead into the half. The second half was a completely different game as 2015-17 slowly chipped away at the lead and didn’t let 2009 & under score much. The final score being 36-30 in favor of 2015-17, setting up a championship rematch from last year between 2015-17 and 2023-24. Before the big game the 3-point contest finals took place where Gay scored 14 taking second as Pogodzinski finished with 20. The championship game started off fast as 2023-24 got an early lead. 2015-17 battled back, but couldn’t get over the hump as 2023-24 became back-to-back champs winning 62-58. Carter Klabon was once again named tournament MVP scoring 40 points on the day.
The O-W Men’s Alumni tournament wants to thank this year's sponsors and friends of the tournament. Brandon Blumenstein and Edward Jones, Dee Wells and Withee A&W, Flagship Pontoons, DJ Drew, Meadowview Golf Course, and the O-W FFA.