A Marshfield shooter is defended by two players from Myrtle Point under the basket during a game Wednesday. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

NORTH BEND - Most of the coaches were dressed in shorts and T-shirts and some of the players didn't have numbers on their jerseys. As for the officials, some wore shirts without stripes.

The atmosphere certainly was casual at North Bend High School early this week as girls basketball teams took to multiple courts for nine hours a day. Despite that atmosphere, there was no doubt about the importance of the annual North Bend Hoops Fest, one of many summer league basketball tournaments this month.

“Summer basketball has so much value,” said Marshfield coach Debbie Dunbar. “You've got an ability to work on things you don't have time for in the regular season.”

Teams don't practice much, but they can get in a lot of games during summer, especially at North Bend's tournament.

This year's event drew varsity teams from 20 high schools and several junior varsity teams as well. Most of them got in three games each day of the tournament, which started Monday and continued through Wednesday.

A similar boys tournament last weekend drew almost that many teams to the Bay Area with games at North Bend, Marshfield and Southwestern Oregon Community College.

Both tournaments have been big draws for years.

“It's a good tournament,” North Bend girls coach Mike Forrester said of his event. “(With games starting) from noon to 8 p.m., there's nine hours of basketball on five courts.”

Teams like that they can get in so many games for a relatively small cost. Numerous local teams can easily travel to North Bend each day, while some teams from outside the area camp in area parks.

Others stay in hotels and all of them purchase food and supplies from local stores and restaurants.

“I don't know how much money it brings into the economy,” Forrester said. “It's a chunk.”

The tournament also provides good competition, including several squads Forrester expects to be near the top of Class 4A this coming year - Stayton, Junction City, North Marion and Sutherlin. Larger schools included Marshfield, Ashland and Grants Pass.

“It's been a good tournament,” Dunbar said. “There's teams with good outside and inside games. We've got our hands full.”

One person particularly glad to be able to participate was Myrtle Point coach Marty Stallard, who wasn't able to get his team as many games as usual early this summer because of ongoing health issues.

In a normal summer, Myrtle Point might play 35 games. After the North Bend tournament, the Bobcats, a late fill-in for Heppner, had played eight.

“With the young kids I've got, it's exceptionally valuable for us,” Stallard said.

The Bobcats have been among the state's best teams in Class 3A and would like to find their way back to the top again next winter.

Early in a game Wednesday against Marshfield, Myrtle Point showed one of its biggest returning weapons when Sam Sanders bombed in long 3-pointers on three straight possessions.

Marshfield responded by showing one of its best returning strengths when Moriah Roberge and Brianna George, who will be juniors, forced several straight turnovers, leading to fast breaks and easy baskets.

Those players are among the known quantities. Dunbar was eager to see the play of her younger kids.

“I've seen a tremendous amount of improvement,” she said. “This is the time where the younger kids need to step up and fill big shoes.”

Part of the learning is mistakes, and both Stallard and Dunbar instructed their players on the court during the game.

“It's the time to make mistakes,” Dunbar said, adding that she hopes the players realize their weaknesses and what they need to work on.

Most of the teams in North Bend's tournament are regular visitors. One this year was not.

Colony High School, which is located between the cities of Palmer and Wasilla in Alaska, made the trip to North Bend as part of a quest that also includes a big tournament at Oregon City.

“It's been good for us,” said Colony coach Don Witzel. “This is like our summer season. We don't have a lot of options up there.”

Colony is located north of Anchorage and the players took advantage of the trip to the Bay Area with several trips to the beach.

“We've had a good time down here,” Witzel said.