PORT ANGELES — Some 80 teams, 67 from out of town, are competing on 10 courts in six gyms across Port Angeles this weekend.
A total of 160 games are being played Saturday and Sunday at 10 courts at the gyms of the Elwha Tribe, Stevens Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary, Queen of Angels School, Port Angeles High School and Dry Creek Elementary, said Port Angeles Youth Basketball president Howie Ruddell.
Most of the basketball teams have 10 kids on a squad, and their families often travel with not just parents and siblings, but other extended family members such as aunts and uncles and grandparents as well, Ruddell said in a press release.
“It’s not unusual for the attendance of one player to equal five to six others traveling. The economic impact, especially in the middle of winter, is noticeable,” he added.
Said Port Angeles Youth Basketball Executive Director Dru Clark: “Each player and their families typically represents 2.5 hotel room stays, and over the course of the weekend, each traveler consumes an average of six meals. That pumps a lot of money into our economy at an important time of the year.”
“It’s a welcomed boost in occupancy and revenue during a typical slow month!” said Donya Alward of the Red Lion Hotel.
“All of us in Port Angeles are excited to welcome all the AAU basketball teams traveling to the area this weekend.”
