JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Celsy Colombo and her team from Pioneer High School in Cattaraugus County recently hit the blacktop for a little 3-on-3 basketball at the Gus Macker tournament outside SUNY Jamestown Community College.

"It's just super fun," said Colombo. "I like how scrappy it is. It's just different."

Her team was one of about 175, a 20% increase over last year. Teams came from states all across the country, like Pennsylvania, Maine, Michigan and New York, like the group from Rome.

"The competition's always pretty good and we have a well built together team," said Santino Bonanza.

City leaders helped start opening ceremonies as the Gus Macker is celebrating its 50th anniversary criss-crossing the country, including a few select cities in the state.

Once the opening do-or-die shot on Dream Court was made, play could begin.

"It's a big family reunion in the state of New York. The Macker junkies that we've had in the past now their kids are coming back," said Mike Fuller, Gus Macker's vice president of operations and sales.

After a brief absence, Collaborative Children's Solutions, a non-profit providing opportunities for children, put the tournament back on the schedule.

"We're traveling to each other's cities and supporting each other. Sixty percent of the tournament are from 14 years old and younger. So, we're really building up the kids to give them an opportunity to do something and bring people to our city too," said Patrick Smeraldo, president of Collaborative Children's Solutions.

Those athletes included a first-time player, 7-year-old Elliot Malik from Delevan.

"Really exciting. I love basketball. It's a really fun sport," said Malik.

That is why Celsy Colombo says she and her team keep coming back.

"We like doing this as a group. It's like something we can do that's outside fun, and also just be together as a team," Columbo said.

Tournament winners were also crowned on the final day of play.