ERIC VICCARO, [email protected]

The Second Annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Tournament proved to be a rousing success from an economic standpoint for the city of Moberly.

“We are happy to see our team count increase by 10 percent this year over last year,” said Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Megan Schmitt, who helped spearhead bringing the tournament here.

Schmitt said the increase in teams allowed them to assemble 17 courts for the tournament. The number of games increased. Overall, more than 400 basketball players participated in the two-day event.

Those weren’t the only numbers that wowed Schmitt.

“We were amazed by the number of spectators, in addition to players, who came out to watch the games,” Schmitt noted. “The streets around the courts and downtown in general were full of people enjoying Moberly. It was a great sight to see.”

The Gus Macker Tournament was held in conjunction with the Moberly JROTC Patriot Car Show and Junk Junktion vendor fair. Business conducted special Sunday operating hours as well.

Schmitt said a pair of quick rain showers caught tournament officials off guard, so next year large shop fans will be used to help dry the courts quickly.

“We will continue to improve our communications with players, sponsors and businesses about the event,” Schmitt said. “We also need more volunteers to help with trash during and after the event.”

Next year, there will be more than just a slam dunk contest. Schmitt said free throw and 3-point shooting contests will be added. She’d also like to have water bottle refilling stations to help reduce the amount of refuse.

“We were thrilled to have had a successful second-year tournament, especially when this year many other Gus Macker tournaments suffered due to increased travel costs for teams,” Schmitt explained.

There will be another Gus Macker Tournament next year because the city is contracted to do so, Schmitt reported.

Overall, basketball players represented 11 states — including from as far away as Florida to the southeast, Michigan to the northeast and New Mexico to the southeast. ‘

Fifty-seven players were from Columbia, with 48 from Moberly, 15 from Cairo, 13 from Huntsville and 12 each from Glasgow and Monroe City.

“I can’t think of another event we are currently hosting that brings in people from that many states,” Schmitt noted.

Moberly High School boys’ and girls’ basketball…