'Keep Watching 50': Basketball Tournament Shoots to Remember Kirkwood's Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith was a graduate of Kirkwood High School in 2001. Anthony Smith played varsity basketball at Kirkwood for four years and went on to play for Loyola University in Chicago.

Anthony was also diagnosed with leukemia. After battling for three years, Anthony passed away just before his 25th birthday in 2008.

Anthony's twin brother, Antoine, was also a member of both Kirkwood's and Loyola's basketball teams, and has chosen to remember his brother with the Anthony Smith Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The tournament is entering its 5th year, gearing up for games May 18.

"(Antoine) wanted to bring together the divisions in Kirkwood," Lisa Wagner, a tournament organizer who graduated with the Smith brothers, told Patch. "Our goal is to bring unity with races and ethnicities together."

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The tournament is set up with seven different co-ed age divisions with up to four players per team, starting at 4th grade through 40 years old and up. Wagner said about 50 teams are already signed up for the tourney May 18 at Concordia Lutheran Church. Greentree Community Church, Young Life St. Louis and Kriewall Photography are also listed as partners.

The tournament motto, "Keep watching 50," serves as a reflection of Anthony, Wagner said.

Wagner told Patch Anthony had a tattoo on his arm of praying hands with the words, "Keep watching." Anthony's basketball jersey number was 50 in both high school and college.

"We kind of think (Anthony's) looked out for us in a lot of ways," Wagner said. "The saying helps us stay true to who he is."

Wagner said several of the tournament organizers and supporters are Kirkwood High graduates or from the area. 

In addition to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Wagner said portions of the funds from tournament registration will also benefit Hope Unlimited, a non-profit working in Kirkwood's Meacham Park to "work with at-risk youth in the metropolitan St. Louis area and introduce these youth to Jesus Christ," according to the organization's website.

Registration for $80 per team ended May 4. Wagner said late registration for $100 per team continues through May 11. 

For more information about the tournament or to register, visit the tournament's website, keepwatching50.org.

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What do you think? Have you participated in the tournament? Did you know Anthony? Tell us in the comments.