More than 1,000 players, 60% of them younger than 14, joined thousands of spectators, hundreds of volunteers and sponsors as the community came together for a weekend celebrating basketball

"Overall, it was a great event and I could gauge by the kids that were playing and the smile on their face, and the high fives, and the amazing competition," YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said. "11 different states players came from, so there was good competition both locally, regionally, and from out of state. On Red Court A, an under-8 court, the team that won was from Maryland, so it was a well attended event from a large geographic footprint."

Friday, July 10 saw the tournament kick off with registration sponsored by UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital from 4 to 7 p.m. before BlueOx sponsored the special knockout competition.

The competition featured two divisions with a 15 and under division, which shot from the free throw line while the 16 and older division shot from the three point line. All contestants received BlueOx fans while first and second place finishers for each division won Threads by Gus gift cards.

On Saturday, the games took place on every court but before that, opening ceremonies kicked things off on the top men's court.

During opening ceremonies, YMCA Sports Director Tom Revoir made his special mark with dedicating this year's tournament to long-time Gus Macker volunteer and teacher who passed away this past Spring, Lauren Howell.

"There are people who quietly make our community whole, who show up year after year, not for recognition, but simply because they love where they live and the people around them. Lauren Howell was one of those people and Norwich, New York is a better place for every moment that she graced it," Revoir said. "Lauren leaves behind a warmth that cannot be replaced, only remember and honored. The registration table will have an empty chair. The bake sale table will feel her absence. The Classroom she once filled with wisdom will carry her memory in the hearts of those she taught. We will miss her dearly."

The Howell family was recognized and honored amongst the festivities before the tournament started.

Mayor Robert Jeffrey took the do or die shot before the tournament kicked off. He was also seen warming up with founder Scott "Gus" McNeal and other kids before opening ceremonies. He said prior to the event that he wasn't going to dunk but surprised everyone with a made dunk for his special moment before he volunteered as an official.

Revoir appreciated a good number of officials he had this year, which included Jeffrey.

"I thought we had an incredible crew of referees this year," Revoir said. "Referees are a huge part of the whole tournament because they get to say what's going on with their court and to be honest with you, if we don't have referees, we don't have the tournament, period. We also had a majority of certified officials."

Games took place from then on with a break in the action to watch the Norwich Police and Fire Departments square off for the second annual Battle of the Badges, featuring new Police Chief Matthew Roberts and New Fire Chief Gerry Perry.

Following the excitement between both squads, games continued until 6 p.m. before resuming Sunday morning around 8 a.m.

Next year, the Norwich Gus Macker tournament, even though it got its start in 1996, will celebrate 30 years, which everyone is looking forward to in 2027.

- Bobby Mercilliott, Sport's writer, also contributed to this article.