When he was a senior at Dallastown High School, Justin Stetler honored the memory of his father, the late Randy Stetler, by starting a Three on Three basketball tournament.

Randy Stetler, a star basketball player at York Suburban High School and Shippensburg University, died of natural causes at the age of 43 in 1998.

Justin Stetler's class project turned into an annual event which has raised more than $57,000 for scholarships and charitable causes.

The ninth annual Randy Stetler Three on Three tournament is scheduled for Saturday on the outdoor courts at Springettsbury Township Park. The event is part of the township's Saturday in the Park event.

"When we first started, we never anticipated doing it this many years," said Cathy Stetler Lighty, who was married to Randy Stetler.

"We have 55 teams signed up this year which ties for the highest number (there were 55 teams in 2006). I am pretty sure we will raise at least $8,000 this year."

Part of the money raised is used to fund college scholarships for male and female basketball players at Dallastown and York Suburban High School, and the other part is donated to the American Cancer Society and the Make A Wish Foundation.

Bob Rudisill, a friend of the Stetler family and a former high school basketball coach (Kennard-Dale boys' team and York Suburban girls' team) is the tournament director.

"I played against Randy in high school and college," said Rudisill, a standout player at York Catholic High School and Gettysburg College.

"After we came back to York, we played on teams together at Penn Park and Voni Grimes Gym."

Years later, when Randy Stetler was in the hospital, Rudisill visited him on a regular basis.

"I got to know his mom and his dad, and I worked with all four of the kids (Randy's and Cathy's) on basketball drills in the driveway."

Rudisill said the Stetler Three on Three tournament will feature play on six courts with games beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The players range in age from 10 to adults over 30.

"There are a lot of teams, and it can be a hectic at times, but it's all for a good cause," Rudisill.

"It's scheduled rain or shine. We only had rain one year out of eight, and we went into Central Middle School to get it done."

Reach Dick Vanolinda at dvanolinda@yorkdispatch.com or 505-5407.