They came from near and far to play the game of basketball at the 27th Annual Morris Boys Basketball Shootout this week. From both near and far, the compliments came ringing in after the event, too.

"It's summer and for the kids its all about what they can do to get better, but when you get into a championship game like this, it gives the kids something to play for," Mike Waldo, coach of Edwardsville said.

Waldo's team defeated Waubonsie Valley 53-51 in overtime to claim the championship at the event run by Morris basketball coach Joe Blumberg.