LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Basketball teams from across Ohio and surrounding states traveled to Lima to compete in the annual Bean City Challenge tournament.
Now in its 23rd year, the Lima-based event hosted a record 95 boys’ teams, all competing to be the top team in their respective age groups. The tournament expanded this year by inviting third grade teams to participate for the first time.
The tournament is part of the Ohio Youth Basketball organization and was held at multiple venues across the city, including Lima Senior High School, Lima City middle schools, St. Rose Catholic School and the Bradfield Community Center. Hundreds of games were played throughout the weekend.
With basketball playing a strong role in the region, organizers say Lima is an ideal location to host a large-scale tournament.
“So, to us, it's just important that we continue to highlight basketball in our area, especially after the year that the teams in this area, Delphos and Lima Senior, had. So, we're just excited for 23 years of this. We just want to see it keep going. We're strategically located, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, everybody less than two hours away, so it just makes it a great fit for us,” says Chris Jackson.
Organizers say they are planning to bring back a girls tournament next year and are exploring the addition of more venues from school districts around Lima.
