For Lucas Oswald, basketball was life.
Twenty-one teams of area basketball players between ages of 10 and 18 gathered to compete and raise money for a youth sports camp.
The teams participated in the second Hoopin' for Lucas three-on-three basketball tournament early Saturday at California High School. The tournament honored Lucas Oswald, a former California Pintos basketball player who died last July.
Tabby Oswald, Lucas' mother and event organizer, said the Fraternal Order of Eagles hosted a similar tournament last year to remember her son.
"Last year the Eagles Club put on a three-on-three for a benefit for us, and we just wanted to carry on Lucas' love for the game," she said.
In addition to honoring Lucas, proceeds from the tournament will help send local children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp, a four-day basketball skills enhancement camp held at Missouri Valley College in Marshall. According to the Snow Valley Missouri's website, the camp offers "individual skill development through repetition, team competition against players of similar ability (and a) report card and individual improvement plan." Tabby Oswald said the camp costs about $400 per child.
Gavin Porter attended the camp last year thanks to the previous Hoopin' for Lucas tournament. He said he brought back improved dribbling and shooting skills from the camp.
"It's fun, but it's hard work and competitive at the same time," Porter said. "During the day you'll do drills and you will compete against other kids at night."
Brooks Volkart, who attended another Snow Valley camp thanks to proceeds from Hoopin' to Lucas, said the camp is helpful for players who want to up their games.
"It's a lot of basketball," he said. "The only breaks you really got were breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we got way better and had a lot of fun."
Planning for this year's tournament started in March. Matt and Tabby Oswald said many people helped make the event a success, including family, friends and local businesses.
It was so successful, plans for repeating the event next year are already in the works.
Participants in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament listen as officials explain the rules Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) in the California High School gymnasium. The tournament honors Lucas Oswald, a former California Pintos basketball player who died last year, by raising funds to send local children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp. Lucas Oswald's parents, Tabby and Matt Oswald, are seen in the center of the photo standing together. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Participants in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament listen as an official announces the rules Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) in the California High School gymnasium. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Participants in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament fight for the ball Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) in the California High School gymnasium. The tournament, with 21 teams overall, was held in memory of Lucas Oswald, a former California Pintos basketball player who died last year, to raise funds to send area children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
A participant dribbles around another participant Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) during the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. The tournament was held to honor a former California Pintos basketball player, Lucas Oswald, by raising funds to send area children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp to share his love for the sport. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Participants play a game of 3-on-3 basketball Saturday morning (July 30, 2022) in the California High School gymnasium for the second Hoopin' for Lucas tournament. The tournament was held to honor a former California Pintos basketball player, Lucas Oswald, by raising funds to send area children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Matt Oswald, second from left, gives pointers to a player from Team Pookie on Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. The tournament is held in honor of Matt Oswald's son, Lucas Oswald, a former California Pintos basketball player who died last year. Proceeds from the tournament help send area children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp to share Lucas Oswald's love for basketball. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Matt Oswald, second from right, gives pointers to Team Pookie on Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. The tournament is held in honor of Matt Oswald's son, Lucas Oswald, a former California Pintos basketball player who died last year. Proceeds from the tournament help send area children to Snow Valley Basketball Camp to share Lucas Oswald's love for basketball. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "California Elite" won first place in the 10-12 year old category Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Kinsley Lawson, Reece Kusgen and Hadley Milligan. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Warriors" placed second in the 10-12 year old category Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Evan Klouzek, Owen Yaegers, Charles Reinkemeyer, Samuel Heckman and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
"Team Pookie" won third place in the 10-12 year old category Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas tournament in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Addilynn Brinker, Anabelle Oswald, Austyn Kunze, Lakota Oswald and Tabby Oswald. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Stone Cold Stutters" finished first in the 14-16 year old category Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) in the second Hoopin' for Lucas tournament in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Hayden Kilmer, Brooks Volkart, Chase Trimble and Tabby Oswald, organizer. Volkart and Trimble were recently able to experience Snow Valley Basketball Camp thanks to proceeds from the previous Hoopin' for Lucas tournament. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Flint Tropics" placed second in the 14-16 year old age group Saturday morning (July 30, 2022,) in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Hayden Hunter, Tony Peters, Ralon Morrissey and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Hand-Down Man Down" poses for a photo Saturday (July 30, 2022,) after winning third place in the 14-16 year old age group in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Kooper Messerli, Corbin Lawson, Landen Dunham and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Sunset Beach Ballas" took home the third place title for the 16-18 year old age group Saturday (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at California High School. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Kaden Keeran, Karson McKinney, Zachery Langlotz and Tabby Oswald. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "OC Wildcats" placed first in the 12-14 year old age group Saturday (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament held in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Jaxon Wuelling, Mac Klouzek, Cody Heckman and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Hoopers" placed second in the 16-18 age category Saturday (July 30, 2022,) at the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the California High School gymnasium. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, Zach Hatfield, Noah Hall, Gus Peters, Ashton Keiholz and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Hooper Goats" pose for a photo Saturday (July 30, 2022,) after winning first place in the 16-18 age group in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at California High School. Pictured, from left, are: Matt Oswald, organizer, William Cotten, Brooks Horton, Penelope Cotten, Hailey Rademan and Tabby Oswald, organizer. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Slashers" are seen Saturday (July 30, 2022,) after winning second place in the 12-14 year old age category in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at California High School. Pictured, from left. are: Morgan Redcay, Mason Abernathy, Dalton Roberts, Aldo Osio and Kolby Less. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Team "Warcats" pose for a photo Saturday (July 30, 2022,) after placing third in the 12-14 year old age group in the second Hoopin' for Lucas 3-on-3 basketball tournament at California High School. Pictured, from left, are: Hesley Higginbotham, Paige Loethen, Kenzy Hackmann and Jorja Kempker. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)