More than 1,000 attend Swish

Saturday’s business at Bonners Books was typical for a Saturday in the summer.

That was OK with John O’Connor, owner of the bookstore in downtown Bonners Ferry, where more than 1,000 people converged for the first Bonners Ferry Swish 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

“I really supported it, and I’m glad it happened,” O’Connor said. “I’m not going to pretend it was a boom to my business, but I’m so glad I participated in Swish.”

Like many of the more than 100 volunteers, O’Connor helped keep score and assisted with the setup and tear-down of hoops in the downtown.

“The Swish was a huge success in our inaugural year,” said Brett Brown, president of Bonners Ferry Swish.

Sixty-three teams with a total of 230 players hit the streets. The tournament included female, male and co-ed divisions in age brackets beginning with 9 and 10 year olds. The oldest person participating was 52.

Organizers raised enough to buy hoops worth $14,000. Also purchased with sponsorships were basketballs, scoreboards, stop watches, whistles and more.

It’s believed that about $3,000 was raised, Brown said. Proceeds will benefit children in Bonners Ferry, possibly with better playground equipment at Boundary County Fairgrounds.

The weekend was good for Dollar Depot, also in the downtown.

“(Business on Saturday) was up just a little,” said manager Dolly Boling. “It was good to see the streets filled and the people were having a lot of fun. It was a family event.”

Dollar Depot also was open on Sunday, which is not the norm.

Business at Panhandle Restaurant was busier than a normal Saturday, but not as busy as owner Wes Deitz expected. Various food vendors in the downtown could’ve been the reason, Deitz said.

The weekend was a thrill for Brown, who planted the seed for what’s hoped to become an annual event.

 ”I think one of the greatest moments is when the games just started and I walked down past Mugsy’s stopping by every table and checking on monitors and scorekeepers,” he said. “I turned to head north towards City Hall and looked up to see a row of magnificent hoops, many players, spectators and volunteers.”

“Many people thanked me for all that I had done,” Brown continued. “It was a community effort.”