5th edition of Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament set to tip off

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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“New” is the theme for the 5th annual Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament set for Thursday through Saturday at the Jeannette elementary and high schools.

New coaches and new teams will greet attendees at an event that honors late Jayhawks great Tre Cunningham, a three-sport standout who died in a motorcycle accident in 2020.

The tournament aims to celebrate Cunningham’s life, his positive attitude and his talents, particularly in basketball.

Organizers find it hard to believe the event is already turning five.

The tournament seems to have grown in popularity each summer. This year, 10 boys high school teams will compete for the championship chain and a $1,000 scholarship for the MVP.

Proceeds benefit the Jeannette Educational Foundation and the Tre Cunningham Memorial Scholarship.

“People find out what the tournament is all about, and they want to come out and watch,” Jeannette coach Adrian Batts said. “Our education foundation does a great job, and we recognize a player whose future was so bright but was taken way too early.”

Hempfield and Belle Vernon have new coaches.

Latrobe alum Austin Butler is the new leading man at Hempfield, whereas Ricky Tyburski takes over for legendary coach Joe Salvino at Belle Vernon.

Jeannette will play Belle Vernon at 7 Friday night. Both teams won WPIAL championships last winter.

Indiana and Imani Christian are new teams, and organizers replaced Westmont Hilltop, which is not available this year, with Ringgold.

Monessen is playing but only Friday.

Pool play runs Thursday and Friday, with a single-elimination tournament and the championship game set for Saturday.

“A hot gym on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a lot of local teams — it’s a nice event,” Batts said. “It’s great competition for these guys. And it’s a great cause.”

Other teams competing include Greensburg Salem, Norwin and Geibel.

Event coordinator Tim Carney said the championship will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the high school.

“We also will recognize the Westmoreland Special Olympics, who just won a state title,” Carney said. “Sponsors in the county have been great. We have had so many people step up. We have raised a lot of money over the years.”

Schedule

5th Annual Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament

Thursday

Jeannette High School

Ringgold vs. Imani Christian, 6 p.m.

Greensburg Salem vs. Jeannette, 7 p.m.

Hempfield vs. Ringgold, 8 p.m.

Imani Christian vs. Norwin, 9 p.m.

Friday

Jeannette High School

Geibel vs. Indiana, 6 p.m.

Belle Vernon vs. Jeannette, 7 p.m.

Indiana vs. Hempfield, 8 p.m.

Monessen vs. Norwin, 9 p.m.

Jeannette Elementary School

Monessen vs. Greensburg Salem, 7:30 p.m.

Geibel vs. Belle Vernon, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Jeannette High School

Single-elimination tournament, 9 a.m.

Championship, 4:30 p.m.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Jeannette