Three-on-three hoop tournament on tap tonight

The Stop the Violence Lynn 3-on-3 tournament scheduled for tonight won?t be deterred by a little inclement weather.The tournament was originally scheduled to be held at the Warren Street playground with the price of admission being time (those attending were being asked to help clean up the playground). The anticipated rain has put the kibosh on the cleanup, but not the tournament, which has been moved indoors to the Fecteau-Leary gymnasium on North Common Street.Former English High girls basketball coach Fred Hogan, a member of the Stop the Violence Lynn Committee along with Rob Smith, School Committee member John Ford, Ward 6 city councilor Pete Capano, Antonio Gutierrez and Ebony White, said he?s expecting a large turnout. The tournament is open to middle school and high school boys and girls with 13-15-year-old divisions and 16-19-year-old divisions. The committee is running the double elimination tournament along with Girls Inc.The tournament is being held in conjunction with a Stop the Violence Lynn rally scheduled for Thursday night at Fecteau-Leary. Hogan said the purpose is to get input from the community.?We want to just throw out some ideas. Give people a chance to voice their opinions on what they think the problems are and try to come up with ideas, get people involved,” Hogan said.The basketball tournament is just one of several events Stop the Violence Lynn has in the pipeline. Hogan said a march from East Lynn to West Lynn, through some of the rougher neighborhoods, is planned for mid-September. Former Classical High football standout Karim Gibson is also organizing a Father?s Day 5K road race.Those interested in competing in the 3-on-3 tournament can sign up at the door beginning at 4 p.m. The first 100 participants will get T-shirts. Some gift cards have also been donated. The cost (now that there?s no park cleanup) is $5 per team. Smith has been instrumental in getting several individuals and groups to help sponsor the tournament including Tony?s Pub, the Stevens family, LYSOA Inc., Centerboard, Capano, Rick?s Auto Collision of Revere and the Stop the Violence Lynn Committee.