BAM Jam champions crowned — and married

Published: August 6, 2012 

Two couples’ teams bring home the street hoops tourney titles.

There is no truth to the rumors that circulated after the conclusion of the Fast Eddy’s BAM Jam on Sunday evening: The 3-on-3 basketball tournament won’t be changing its name to the Allen-McCarthy Invitational.

But it was certainly a family affair, as a pair of husbands and wives came away big winners.

The Stadia Legends, led by Chris Allen and Ryan McCarthy, won the men’s elite championship.

Earlier in the day, the Oldies but Goodies, led by Elpidia Allen and Jenny McCarthy, took home the women’s elite title.

“There was a little bit of pressure after (my wife, Jenny) won,” Ryan McCarthy said. “She came over and showed me her shirt, and I thought, ‘We better win or I’m going to hear about it until next year.’ ”

McCarthy and Allen won, but the TalentstoSouthBeach team — which included Boise State men’s assistant coach John Rillie and three College of Idaho teammates — made them work for it. The championship game was a physical affair that Stadia Legends won 20-14.

“We know those guys ... and it’s good to get a little chippy and a little physical,” McCarthy said. “At the end of the day, that’s part of the game when you play at a high level.”

None of the winning teams left with big bags of cash. Instead, they played for some gift cards — and the love of the game.

“If you’re a hoop junkie, there’s nothing better,” said Chris Allen, who played at Lewis-Clark State. “There’s hoops all around, and you get to watch basketball for 48 hours.”

Elpidia Allen, who also played at LCSC, said the tournament provides an opportunity to get the competitive juices flowing again.

“It’s the one time where you can get back out there and be really competitive,” said the 30-year-old Allen, whose team included sisters Kendra Keen and Vanessa Broemeling. “But you have fun and it’s against people you like and get to know.”

Friendship was a theme that ran throughout the two-day tournament.

“The cool thing about this is, unlike when you’re playing in college or high school, my team is made up of three of my best friends. When you win, you win with your best friends,” said Ryan McCarthy, whose team included Wade Joseph and Bryan Rabas.

The weekend tournament shifted from BoDo, where it had been played in previous years, to the streets next to Capitol Park in Downtown Boise.

“This is the best venue of any tournament I’ve been to,” Chris Allen said. “Having the park close by, you’ve got places to sit and relax in the shade. And the courts are close enough that everybody can see everything.”

Chris Allen has won the summer BAM Jam four of the past five years. The one year that he didn’t win it, he was injured — and Elpidia won her only title.

This year, they both left winners.

“It’s great,” Chris Allen said, “because I won’t have to tiptoe around the house, and she can wear her championship shirt, too.”

TOURNAMENT WINNERS

Men's elite 6'0 over - STADIA Legends

Men's elite 6'0 under - BBCOM

Women's elite - Oldies But Goodies

Women's competitive - Jumpman Risea

Men's recreational - Paramount

Men's 6'0 under recreational - Sick Wit It

Men's 6'0 under comp - A Team Throwback

Men's 6'0 under comp - White Lightning

Men's comp - Ballenger and Finch

Men's comp - Relevent

Men's comp - Titans

4th grade girls - High Def

5th/6th grade girls - Swish

7th/8th grade girls - Just Do It

9th/10th grade girls - Epic Exchange

11th-12th grade girls - Real Deal

3rd/4th grade boys - HD Nation

5th/6th grade boys - Utah Pump and Run

7th grade boys - PMs Posse

8th grade boys - Four Dreamers

8th grade boys - Team Uncle Drew

9th grade boys - Pikachus

10th grade boys - Three Plus One

11th/12th grade boys - Pocatello Thunder

Coed - Insert Name Here

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