Annual Hoops and Heroes basketball tournament helps improve historic Nacogdoches park

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The Parks Advocacy League held their third annual hoops and heroes’ tournament at the McMichael middle school in Nacogdoches.

This is to raise money to help improve the Robert McCrimmon Park playground.

President of the Parks Advocacy League, Michelle Cox said seeing the community come together is most important and more motivation to getting the park improved.

“It’s a historic park, but it’s over 60 years old. There’s very little equipment left, and it’s just metal. There’s not much to do,” she said.

“What we want to do is put money towards a new playground and seating for parents, and another picnic pavilion, things like that to really help bring kids outside and come to the park,” said Cox.

She said they have a basketball tournament every year because it is a fun opportunity to help to bring the community together.

Cox said, “there just aren’t opportunities here for people to get off the courts in the street and get to come inside, have a nice jersey, be on a team, be in a real tournament.”

This year’s theme was based on hero teachers and educators in Nacogdoches which all ten teams were named after.

Nacogdoches ISD educator Shelton Jones said he’s thankful for this honor but believes the people of the community are the true heroes.

“I see future heroes coming along, and I’m so proud of them and the things they are accomplishing for this community,” said Jones.

Tournament director Ronard Patton said he used to play at McCrimmon Park as a kid.

“Some of the same equipment that I played on when I was in elementary school is still up now, so it’s just time for things to be modernized for the future generation,” said Patton.

Cox said the City of Nacogdoches has been helpful lending equipment for the event and supporting their cause for the park’s improvement.

“It’s a really good thing. It’s a very positive thing every time a neighborhood has a park updated,” said Cox.

Cox also said people will be able to vote yes on a bond in November to push the Robert McCrimmon park’s improvement.

She said when the city adopts the bond – it could take a year or more for the funds to be issued and the improvements to be completed.

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