Thirty-five teams competed in a three-on-three benefit basketball tournament Saturday in Lehighton.

The benefit, held in the Lehighton Area High School gym, was held in memory of Damian Mele. Mele died in a tragic motor vehicle crash in 2019 at the age of 20. He was an alumnus of Lehighton Area High School.

Vince Mele, Damian’s brother, organized the tournament and said funds will be used to create a scholarship in Damian’s name.

Vince said he was very pleased with the participation and community support.

He said the tournament was planned for the past two years but hadn’t happened because of the pandemic.

“I’m very happy with getting this tournament up after two years,” he said. “There’s a good turnout. People still want to play the game and have a good time.”

Teams from throughout the area and of all ages competed.

The participant from the farthest distance was Erik Larkin, a relative of Vince’s and Damian’s mother, who came from Nevada.

Although the tournament wasn’t held until Saturday, the first scholarship in Damian’s name was a $1,000 per year (maximum four years) award to a Lehighton Area High School graduate last year. The criterion for the recipient is that the student will possess and exhibit similar traits to Damian, among them his positive outlook and zest for life.

Lori Mele, Damian’s mother, said prior to the tournament, “We’re so grateful to have been able to do the first (scholarship) last year because so many people donated money. We’re looking forward to being able to award the second one in a couple weeks. The goal is really to be able to continue to award that scholarship for years and years to come.”

Damian was a son of Angelo J. and Lori (Larkin) Mele of East Penn Township.

He was a 2017 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, where he truly loved participating on the basketball, baseball and track and field teams. He formed many great and long-lasting friendships on these and other youth teams, and throughout his life.

He attended Bloomsburg University and most recently was employed as a pool construction worker and had plans to pursue a career in real estate.

He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Lehighton, where he had attended parochial school.