NORWICH – Gus Macker is well underway, whether it rains or the blistering heats pelts the Macker-goers this weekend – rain or shine Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball is back in Norwich for 2017.
Gus Macker is now in its 22nd year of being held in Norwich, NY and with it each year comes the thousands of athletes and fans who pile on to East Main Street – lining both sides with eager basketball-minded people.
What are they all here for? Well, whatever level of play – whether it be the younger aged courts or the upper-age courts – everyone is gathered in one location to watch, learn, helping the game of basketball to evolve in the local community. With all that, comes the fun of Macker, the competitiveness and that is what keeps people coming back.
“Macker is an amazing community event, all you have to do is look at the number of people that volunteer their time and the number of teams that come back year after year to know what a special weekend it is for Norwich,” said Kyle Edwards of team Sliced Bread in the men’s top bracket. “I think the competition is very high. Especially on top men’s there are a lot of guys who have played in college at some level or even have played professionally, which makes it a lot of fun.”

That being said, Edwards has worked his way up the street, playing since he was eight-years old, as so many other athletes have done – starting on the kid courts and eventually finding himself at the top court many years later.

Edwards – who just graduated from St. Lawrence University and is a member of the 1,000 point club as a Saint – was a member of Team SLU in 2016. Team SLU notably fought their way into the championship of the 2016 Gus Macker top mens court.

This year, Edwards will be joining Team Sliced Bread – notably, previously comprised of local Norwich basketball players, Derek Hughes, Richie Bonney, Josh Borfitz, and older brother Casey Edwards.
Team Sliced Bread will take on Kyle Edwards and Timmy Clark – a fair trade – due to Hughes and Casey Edwards being unable to make the trip back to Norwich this year.
“I’ve been playing Macker since I was eight, and only missed one when I had torn my ACL. I’ve been playing with Casey Edwards and Derek Hughes every year since I was eight, along with Richie Bonney for a majority of those years. This is the first year Casey and Derek have not been able to come back for Macker,” said team captain Josh Borfitz. “Having an event where everyone comes back to Norwich is what makes Macker such a great tradition. It (also) presents an opportunity for local restaurants and shops to drum up more business. It’s a great event for the community and seeing all the volunteer work that goes in to making this tournament run year after year makes me proud to be a part of this community.”
As Edwards and Borfitz ready themselves throughout the week leading up to Gus Macker 2017, looking back on the 2016 results shined some light on just how competitive the 3 on 3 basketball tournament can get.
In 2016, Edwards and Team SLU faced off against Team Brock in the finals – eventually losing. While Team Sliced Bread also found themselves pitted against the powerful Team Brock.
“We came out of the winners bracket and they beat us twice to win it,” said Edwards. “These guys were the real deal, strong, athletic, and very skilled.”
Team Brock – Captain, Morgan Fairweather, Mike Kemp, Rohan Steen, and Kevin Stienstra – each played collegiate basketball in Canada. Having not been drafted, Tom Revoir of the YMCA and organizer of Gus Macker noted that Team Brock were very gifted and that he believed they all played semi-pro basketball in Canada.

Team Brock emerged the top mens champions in 2016.

“Yes we played team Brock twice last year, beating them once and losing to them once. They were a very good team with a lot of size,” said Borfitz. “I’ve played in a few Mackers around New York and the top mens competition in Norwich is comparable to anywhere else.”
Sliced Bread and team Brock – notably, three of the four players graduated from Brock University in St. Catharines Ontario Canada – will potentially face off in the semifinals of the winners bracket should both teams advance to that point.
“I think there always will be that edge of competitiveness thats kicks in when the games are actually being played, but at the end of the day its all about having a fun weekend,” said Edwards.
Despite the somewhat of a rivalry and the all-around competition that comes back to the surface for many current and former ball players – it all comes back to community.
“I love the fact that every referee, Gusbuster, and timekeeper are willing to volunteer their time to make this event run smoothly. It’s a great event to get kids excited about basketball and teaches them about friendly competition. Also the fact that it brings people back to Norwich almost like a reunion. I really don’t think much more could be done to improve the event, it is the best run Macker of the few I have been to,” said Borfitz. “Macker is always a ton of fun, but as a competitor I always am out there trying to win. When you are out there competing it’s all about winning, but it’s the community and the friends that keep me coming back every year, and hopefully for years to come.”
Make sure to get down to East Main Street in Norwich on July 8 and 9, for lots of basketball action, no matter what the age group is. Sliced Bread will play their first game against Panama Reds on Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. – while Brock will play against The Pennysaver on Saturday, at 9:30 a.m.
It is anyones court – a new year could see anyone take the Macker top crown with 13 teams in the bracket, that is why the game is played.