The Franklin High School gym floor echoed with the sounds of squeaky tennis shoes and basketballs being dribbled on the hardwood as 16 teams from four states and Canada participated in the 2018 High School Basketball Tournament of Champions at Franklin High School. The teams came from as far away as Miami, Florida. High School teams from all around the state of Washington also showed up for the tournament. Along with the host team from Franklin, Nathan Hale and Cleveland teams also participated.
The four-day tournament included a dunk contest. At 6-feet-6-inches, 14-year-old Kaeden “KJ” McGlothin from Stanwood High School won. His mother said he started dunking at 12 when he was only 6-foot-1. Local basketball stars Aaron Brooks and Joyce Walker, former Seahawk Edwin Bailey and community members Lance Randle and Reggie Ball judged the dunk contest, which was sponsored by the Royal Esquire Club.
The tournament served as a fundraiser for the Franklin High School Basketball team, helping them pay for uniforms, travel and their annual Summer Basketball tournament. It was an opportunity to see some great basketball and support a local school. Although the tournament included some blowouts, there were also several close games, including one between the Camas High School Papermakers and the Cleveland High School Eagles that went into double overtime. Miami Florida’s Westminster Christian School Warriors won the championship game against the Las Vegas Canyon Spring Pioneers. The score was 62 to 58.
Canyon Springs High School Pioneer fan Eraste, 4, tries shooting a few baskets during half time at the championship game between the Pioneers and the Westminster Warriors.Reggie Ball, Lance Randle, and former Franklin High School Basketball star Aaron Brooks see something they like during the Royal Esquire Club Slam Dunk Contest.A referee blows the whistle during a game between the Stanwood Spartans and the Peninsula Seahawks.The Stanwood Spartans react to their teammate Kaeden McGlothin’s dunk during the Royal Esquire Club Slam Dunk Contest on Friday, Dec. 28th. Kaeden, 14, ended up winning the contest.A player from the University High School Titans from Spokane Washington fights for a rebound against the Arbor View Aggies from Las Vegas Nevada.Franklin High School coach Craig Jackson talks strategy with his team during a timeout in their game against the Westminister Warriors, the eventual winners of the tournament.A Stadium High School player shoots the basketball over the heads of the Stanwood Spartans during their game on Saturday. The Spartans went onto win the game 85 to 77.Franklin High School senior Maurice Barnett goes up for a basket against the Spokane University High School Titans.An Arbor View Aggies assistant coach looks through the doors to the Franklin High School gym to see if it’s time for his team to play.Nathan Hale High School player Dominique Michaels, tries to get around a player from the Kelowna High School Owls from Kelowna British Columbia Canada during their first game of the tournament.A fan reacts to a Cleveland basket during a close game between Cleveland and the Peninsula High School Seahawks from Gig Harbor on Wednesday, December 26, the first day of the tournament.
Featured Photo: The Cleveland High School Eagles took on the Peninsula Seahawks in their first game in the tournament. (Photo: Susan Fried)
