Bob Fraser was hoping for big things for the second EMD3on3 basketball tournament this past Saturday and Sunday at Emerald Downs.

Given the more than 236 teams, some coming from as far away as Sandpoint, Idaho and Bellingham, Fraser got his wish.

It was what happened off the courts, however, that set Fraser abuzz.

“It went really well,” said Fraser, the event coordinator. “Where we really had growth this year was in a couple different areas. We had about 1,000 more spectators. People were calling up all weekend, wanting to know if they could come watch, and whether it cost anything, which it didn’t, being free of course.

“The volunteers and community involvement were way up,” Fraser added. “Last year we had about 20 volunteers. This year there were more than 60.”

Fraser said community involvement in the event also ratcheted up this year, including the Auburn Rotary’s pancake breakfast, which came up big.

“They absolutely killed it,” Fraser said. “They raised more than $2,000 in revenue. The Kiwanis did a barbecue also and did quite well, as did the Auburn Youth Resources. They sold bottled water.”

Fraser said the amount of local sponsors for the event grew as well, from 34 last year to 52 this year, resulting in more money raised and a bigger gift for the Auburn YMCA.

“The local YMCA received a large donation from Doxon Toyota,” Fraser said.

In addition to a higher turnout aiding contributions, this year’s event offered a handful of celebrities, a trend Fraser said he hopes will continue.

“Aaron Brooks and Drills and Skills ran the 3-point shootout,” Fraser said. “And KJR radio did a simulcast with Jamal Crawford. I hope next year to get a few more celebrities, maybe a charity game.”

DivisionWinners (team, division, gender): Super Sonics, second grade, male; Rip City Reign, third grade, male; Auburn Trojans, fourth grade, male; On the Line, fifth grade, male; Clutch, sixth grade, male; Untouchables, seventh grade competitive, male; All Stars, seventh grade recreational, male; EC Ballers, eighth grade, male; D Block, high school competitive, male; Rising Stars 2, high school recreational, male; Monstarz, college, male; Gamecocks, adults under 6ft. competitive, male; Boondocks, adults uner 6ft. recreational; Rich Marlow, 40plus, male; Taylor Gang, adult competive 1, male; Sports Page Finest, adult competitive 2, male; Streepy Law, adult recreational 1, male; Hustlers, adult recreational 2, male; RTBK, Co-Ed, Co-Ed; NW Finest, adult, female; ECBA, ahigh school competitive, female; Skilled 2, high school recreational, female; High Ballers, seventh grade, female; Beamer Nationa, sixth grade, female; Swish, fourth/fifth grade, female; and You Go Girls, third/fourth grade, female.