Third Annual AveryStrong Northern California 7v7 Tournament
This past weekend, the third annual #AveryStrong Northern California 7v7 Tournament took place, this time in the Bay Area after the first two years saw it take place in Sacramento.
Established in Avery’s honor in 2018 by Nathan Kenion of KT Prep and Terrance Leonard of TMP Elite, it has been held each of the last three years on the weekend of the anniversary of Avery’s passing.
Leonard and Kenion were two longtime friends and colleagues of Avery’s father, Brandon and were both incredible supports themselves, and their players, during Avery’s fight, with several of their former players honoring Avery in past seasons. The two, in fact, joined another longtime friend and supporter, Taylor Barton, in establishing the Golden Gate Showcase in 2016, just months after Avery’s passing, to benefit the Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG Foundation.
MLUYFI from the East Bay, coached by Deric Davis, knocked off KT Prep Money, 19-18, in double overtime to win the tournament.
“The tournament was good for us,” said MLUYFI coach Deric Davis. “It meant a lot winning the tournament, not only because it’s a big tournament every year but it’s for an amazing cause, the Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG Foundation.”
This year, Avery’s big brother, Cade, was in attendance for the first time and helped with the Trophy Presentation following the tournament and the winning team each received #AveryStrong 7v7 Tournament Champion t-shirts with our foundation name and logo on it as well as the best man in Avery’s parent’s wedding, “Uncle Scottie” Lewis, who came to lend his support at the tournament.
In addition, Marcel from SportsSourceMedia, who designed the Tournament Flyers, presented us with a poster of Avery and a collage of pics of her that expanded on his Tournament Flyer concept.
You can read more about the event, the tournament winner and MVP’s on 247Sports: AveryStrong Northern California 7v7 Tournament Notebook
A HUGE thank you to Nate and Terrance, the KT Prep and TMP staff and coaches, Cassie Taylor and the rest of the tournament volunteers, and of course, all of the players, coaches, refs and families for coming and supporting the Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG Foundation, honoring Avery and being a part of a great event. We are already looking ahead to year four!
#AveryStrong
