Thirteenth Annual Calamus Court Challenge

The thirteenth annual Calamus Court Challenge, sponsored by the Burwell Youth Boosters, was successfully completed March 19, 20. Fifty-four teams competed in 72 games during the three day affair. Teams from Ord, North Loup Scotia, Pleasanton, Merna, Broken Bow, and Burwell took part in this event.

Atkinson dominated the tournament by claiming championships in the 6th grade boys and the 5th and 7th grade girls divisions. Chamber finished strongly by winning the 6th and 8th grade girls divisions. The first appearance by Pleasanton in this local tournament was climaxed with a championship in the 5th grade boys division. Stuart captured the crown in the 7th grade boys division.

Burwell was represented by a record 10 teams. The seventh and eighth grade girls, as well as the seventh grade boys teams finished second in the tournament. The fifth and fourth grade girls battled each other for 3rd place with the fifth grade girls emerging victorious. After a heartbreaking sudden death overtime loss, the local fifth grade boys teams finished a strong fourth. The Burwell sixth grade boys team recovered from an opening round defeat to capture 5th place winning the consolation side of the bracket. The Burwell fourth grade boys and 6th grade girls both collected a win before being ousted from the tournament. The eighth grade boys team defeated North Loup Scotia, Maxwell and Chambers to retain the championship in their respective division. This is the third time this group has come away with first place medals in the Calamus Court Challenge.

The tournament raises money for youth basketball programs in the community. Past tournaments have raised money for yearly basketball camps for Burwell youth, as well as helping the school purchase 4 new glass backboards for the gym and an electronic shooting machine to be used by the basketball teams. Uniforms and basketballs for local teams participating in other tournaments have also been acquired by the Youth Boosters.

The Calamus Court Challenge could not be a success without the generous donation of time and talent by many individuals. People contributed in many ways such as calling for volunteers, scheduling, taking money at the door, selling T-shirts, refereeing, keeping score, running the time clock, printing programs, preparing medals, making brackets, and in cleaning up after each session. Without the tireless efforts of all the people involved, this tournament could not be the success that it was.