Staff Writer
Senior Mira Costa basketball team member Connor Kernochan has taken his love for the game to a new level by founding his own basketball tournament.
Kernochan’s tournament is modeled after the Joe E. Classic Basketball Tournament which a family friend started seven years ago. Known as the “Kerny Tourney,” Kernochan created the two-on-two tournament to provide a fun environment and the opportunity to bring friends together.
“I love how competitive everyone gets,” Kernochan said. “It’s just a fun way to play with your friends and have a good time without the added pressure of a real high school tournament.”
Kernochan first hosted the tournament at his house for his fifth-grade birthday party. It has now evolved into a tournament with more than 60 participants.
With no prior practices, the players are picked by a lottery to determine their two-man teams and are organized into a large bracket. It is a double elimination tournament, and each player pays $5 to participate. The winning team receives money and a trophy.
“The Kerny Tourney is a lot of fun because most of us don’t get the chance to focus on playing the game just for fun anymore,” senior Nick Rigler said.
The “Kerny Tourney” has been held at different venues around the South Bay. Kernochan has lowered the basketball hoops from the regulation size to allow for dunking to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. The 2013 Kerny Tourney has yet to be scheduled.
“I just wanted to make a stress-free pickup game with my friends that was all for the love of the game,” Kernochan said. “It’s amazing that it has grown into such a large tournament where everyone can have fun with a little friendly competition.”
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