Largely Unknown Basketball Tournament Brings Residents Together One Love Tournament Merges Hoops and Community

(Anchor: Zachary Priehs) The One Love basketball tournament is a yearly tournament at Wilson Park, including age groups for 13-16, 16-19 and an adult group as well. The tournament provides players with a chance to compete, and residents with a chance to build relationships and watch good basketball. However, many local basketball fans are unaware, such as resident Josh Collins.

(Josh Collins) Honestly, I have not, this is the first time I’ve heard of this tournament, and it sounds… it’s really cool, and if I’d known about it earlier I probably would’ve been alongside of you watching these tournaments.

(Zachary Priehs) Collins says these events are important due to their community impact.

(Josh Collins) Basketball in general, the NBA, the NCAA, mens and womens, it’s a uniter, it brings people together.

(Zachary Priehs) Next summer, One Love will be going on it’s 23rd year of doing just that… uniting.

Zachary Priehs NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) –The One Love tournament is a yearly basketball tournament held at Wilson Park, (located on S. McBride St.). The tournament ran for the 22nd year in a row Friday through Sunday, with hundreds of spectators coming out to watch competitors  ages 13 and up. The tournament is split between three age groups, 13-16, 16-19, and an adult group.

Hundreds of spectators came out over the three day event to enjoy food, community and watch some high-level basketball. On top of the great community-building that took place over the weekend, there was some truly great basketball played, with multiple former, current or future collegiate “hoopers” taking part.

Even with all that the One Love Tournament has to offer, many residents seem to be unaware. One resident named Josh Collins said he had never heard of the event before, “This is the first time I’ve heard of this tournament, and it sounds… it’s really cool, and if I’d known about it earlier I probably would’ve been alongside of you watching these tournaments.”

Collins said he is a basketball fan himself, saying he would love to attend events like this in the future.

However, the great hoops aren’t the only important aspect of One Love. Tournaments like this bring people together, strengthen community, and give everyone a chance to have something in common… sports.

“Basketball in general, the NBA, the NCAA, men’s and women’s, it’s a unifier, it brings people together.” said Collins.

Keep your eye out this time next summer for some great food, hoops and community at Wilson Park.

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