Vicksburg’s most competitive pick-up basketball game tipped off again on Friday night.

The River City Summer League, an invitation-only workout camp for college and semi-pro players, started its third “season” at the Jackson Street Community Center. Fifteen players competed for about two hours in a series of 5-on-5 scrimmages lasting between 10 and 20 minutes.

The camp is hosted by the American Basketball Association’s Jackson Showboats and is designed to give players a chance to hone their skills. All of the players have played at least junior college basketball, while some are ABA veterans or played at Division I college programs.

“Since day one it’s been good. It’s not like we’re in the big city where guys can walk down the street and get a pick-up game. If guys are going to come, they’re going to want to compete, and I’m excited because each year it’s getting more players and people are talking,” said Grant Worsley, the coach and general manager of the Showboats.

The River City Summer League was started by Worsley in 2014 and has quickly become a mainstay on Vicksburg’s summer sports calendar. Worsley said 21 players are participating this year. The camp will be held every Friday at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Street Center through July 28.

Spectators are welcome at the camp and there is no admission charge.

“You never can get too big. Until I have Phil Jackson or Gregg Popovich coming in, you can never be too established,” Worsley said with a chuckle. “We’ve got a lot of way to go, but it’s getting better and it’s growing organically. I’m excited.”

Among those participating Friday were three former Warren County high school stars — Vicksburg’s Dominique Brown and DeAndre King, and Warren Central’s Jermaine Smith. All were looking for competition as they try to move to the next phase of their basketball careers.

Smith played briefly at Hinds Community College, but soon left the program and is searching for a new team. King played at Hinds last season, but has since left the basketball team and is coming off knee surgery in March.

“I’m trying to improve my game. I need it, too, especially after the surgery,” King said. “I’m going to do a semester at Hinds, just academically, and then I’m going to try to attend (Mississippi College). I’ve talked to their coach and sent him a highlight tape and he said we’ll check it and see after I graduate from Hinds. If not, I’ll be with the Showboats.”

Brown, who graduated in 2011, also played at Hinds but left school for a couple of years because of financial difficulties. He has since landed at Division III Rust College in Holly Springs and is using the RCL to stay in shape and improve his game against good competition. Brown has two years of college eligibility remaining.

“It’s really to keep in shape and get ready for the season,” Brown said. “You don’t see this type of competition all the time. It’s a lot better than just playing against people from here. It brings out a different part of your game.”