Times Observer file photo In this 2009 file photo, teams compete in the annual Barnyard Classic at Eisenhower High School. Because of extenuating circumstances, the 2017 Barnyard, scheduled for June 24, is in jeopardy of not being held.

Preparations are underway for the annual Barnyard Classic 3-on-3 basketball tournament, scheduled for Saturday, June 24.

However, any teams still wishing to register for the event should do so quickly, as extenuating circumstances have reduced the number of registered teams to the point officials are considering cancelling the event.

“We only have about 35 teams registered right now,” said Dorothy Knapp, one of the Barnyard’s founding members. “We don’t want to put on a tournament that we don’t have enough teams to make good.”

Knapp said officials are meeting at 6 p.m. Monday and will determine then whether they have enough teams to hold the event. Registrations will be accepted until the start of that meeting.

Knapp did note there were a number of registration forms in her mailbox Thursday.

The combination of additional days for the Warren County School District this year and New York state’s school calendar likely played a role in the decrease, she added.

“We’re running into so many graduations and graduation parties (it’s hurting registration),” Knapp said.

Barnyard Classic organizers are already considering moving the event, typically held the last Saturday in June, to a later date to avoid future school conflicts. The date isn’t the only change the Classic is facing.

Founding father Rick West, affectionately known as “boss hog” retired this year and a number of long-time volunteer organziers stepped away as well. Knapp said the new folks are quickly learning the ropes.

“We have a lot of new people and it’s a learning year for them,” Knapp said. “I’m probably the only parent left from the core group (who started the event).”

Knapp and other parents started the Barnyard Classic 10 years ago as a “promotion for the youth in our community.”

“We wanted to give the kids something to do,” she said. “That was the main focus, not as a fundraiser, but on the kids and bringing the community together.”

The event has steadily grown since then, with teams from all across the tri-state area coming for a chance to showcase their 3-on-3 skills. The focus has shifted a bit too, as the Classic now serves as a fundraising event for Eisenhower High School boys and girls basketball.

“We always put on a good tournament,” Knapp said. “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from participants.”

Registration forms are available at www.barnyardclassic.com.