For the second year in a row, New Haven hosted a basketball tournament that participants say was a slam dunk.
The event is called Hoop it Up! and is part of a nationwide tournament recognized as part of the USBA basketball league. Organizers of the New Haven event say they hope the event fosters the spirit of competition between kids who live in the cities and towns across the shoreline, and the capital city.
“It gives them time to actually get to know kids from other cities, because a lot of times they don’t get to mingle,” said Asad Rufus, whose children participated in the tournament. “ It’s good to get them together and show some positive energy.”
Nearly a dozen hoops were set up along Church Street outside City Hall for kids eight years and older who had a shot to win a trip to Atlantic City to play in the national Hoop it Up competition.
“It shows that we can have some vision and we can have some fun when we put our minds to it,” says Jason Bartlett, New Haven Youth Services Director.
Parents and kids alike expressed excitement at the event.
“I get to meet new people and play with them,” said 12-year-old Kimah Davis, of New Haven.
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“I think they did very well,” said Jemesia Everett of New Haven. “They’re coming in to do something positive for the children these days.”
The tournament continues on Sunday at 10 a.m. outside City Hall.
