LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Even though the high school basketball season has ended, that doesn't stop teams from playing. Over the weekend, the 22nd annual Bean City Challenge was hosted here in Lima.
Four Lima City Schools were used as game sites for the event, which hosted 70 teams from across Ohio.The tournament was started in 2001 and has been regaining its popularity since a fall-off in numbers due to COVID. Aside from getting to play more basketball, these tournaments give the students valuable life skills.
"For us, it makes them know that you can never stop working. Kids come here and they think they're pretty good, and they play against other competition that is good or is better. So we always emphasize that you never stop working, that when you're sitting around relaxing a kid somewhere else to study working. So we really push that if they want to make it to the next level. The other part of it too is that we emphasize the kids that if you don't make it to the next level, just being a part of a team. Because anything you do in life has to do with teamwork, whether it's a job with family, so just incorporating that teamwork with them," said Christopher Jackson, director of the Bean City Challenge.
These tournaments are run through Ohio Youth Basketball, so if you're interested in joining a tournament you can find more information on their website here.
