Hooping it up.

The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) has scheduled its third annual Hoops Hysteria event for Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

The event takes place at Quicken Loans Arena (the "Q"), home of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, and features a full day of events for scrap recyclers and members of their families.

In the afternoon, participants can play on an NBA court at the "Q" Arena. In the evening, they can stay to watch LeBron James and the Cavs take on the Sacramento Kings. Tournament players and other attendees also can enjoy dinner and cocktails in a private dining area from 4:30 p.m. through the end of the third quarter of the Cavs game.

A portion of the cost of the event is a tax-deductible donation to Northern Ohio ISRI's college scholarship fund.

In March of 2006, eight teams from throughout the Great Lakes Region competed in the afternoon tournament.

In this year's tournament, teams will try to dethrone the 2006 championship team from Lakeside Metals of Cleveland. According to event organizer Michael Eisner, teams had to register for the tournament by Dec. 20, 2006.

Eisner also says that, because more floor time is available, two additional teams may be able to compete this year.

Funds are also being raised through sponsorships and a raffle, with Eisner noting that the recycling firms Aleris Inter national, Lakeside Metals and Metals Conversions have been generous donors in the past. This year, Bob Wallens and Midwest Steel & Alloy Corp., Cleveland, donated two Cavaliers tickets that that were auctioned off at the Vendors Night event near Youngstown, Ohio, Jan. 31.

All registration and waiver forms for the 2007 Hoops Hysteria event are available online at www.isri.org/hoops.