NORWICH – Gus Macker is well underway, whether it rains or the blistering heats pelts the Macker-goers this weekend – rain or shine Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball is back in Norwich for 2017.

Gus Macker is now in its 22nd year of being held in Norwich, NY and with it each year comes the thousands of athletes and fans who pile on to East Main Street – lining both sides with eager basketball-minded people.

What are they all here for? Well, whatever level of play – whether it be the younger aged courts or the upper-age courts – everyone is gathered in one location to watch, learn, helping the game of basketball to evolve in the local community. With all that, comes the fun of Macker, the competitiveness and that is what keeps people coming back.

“Macker is an amazing community event, all you have to do is look at the number of people that volunteer their time and the number of teams that come back year after year to know what a special weekend it is for Norwich,” said Kyle Edwards of team Sliced Bread in the men’s top bracket. “I think the competition is very high. Especially on top men’s there are a lot of guys who have played in college at some level or even have played professionally, which makes it a lot of fun.”

That being said, Edwards has worked his way up the street, playing since he was eight-years old, as so many other athletes have done – starting on the kid courts and eventually finding himself at the top court many years later.

Edwards – who just graduated from St. Lawrence University and is a member of the 1,000 point club as a Saint – was a member of Team SLU in 2016. Team SLU notably fought their way into the championship of the 2016 Gus Macker top mens court.

This year, Edwards will be joining Team Sliced Bread – notably, previously comprised of local Norwich basketball players, Derek Hughes, Richie Bonney, Josh Borfitz, and older brother Casey Edwards.

Team Sliced Bread will take on Kyle Edwards and Timmy Clark – a fair trade – due to Hughes and Casey Edwards being unable to make the trip back to Norwich this year.

“I’ve been playing Macker since I was eight, and only missed one when I had torn my ACL. I’ve been playing with Casey Edwards and Derek Hughes every year since I was eight, along with Richie Bonney for a majority of those years. This is the first year Casey and Derek have not been able to come back for Macker,” said team captain Josh Borfitz. “Having an event where everyone comes back to Norwich is what makes Macker such a great tradition. It (also) presents an opportunity for local restaurants and shops to drum up more business. It’s a great event for the community and seeing all the volunteer work that goes in to making this tournament run year after year makes me proud to be a part of this community.”

As Edwards and Borfitz ready themselves throughout the week leading up to Gus Macker 2017, looking back on the 2016 results shined some light on just how competitive the 3 on 3 basketball tournament can get.