LARGEST MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN THE NATION; FORMER KNICKS, SYRACUSE STAR JOHN WALLACE WILL APPEAR
Woodside, Queens – The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF), a leading provider of high-quality after-school and summer programming for NYC public school students, will conduct its 5TH Annual Presidents’ Week 3 v. 3 NYC Middle School Basketball Tournament this week. More than 50 teams from across the city will compete over two days, with an eventual champion being crowned on Thursday at Riverside State Park in Manhattan.
This tournament constitutes the largest interscholastic middle school basketball tournament in the nation and will feature some of the top young ball players in the city, a number of whom are likely to go on to compete at prominent NYC high school basketball programs. At the tournament on Thursday, former NY Knicks and Syracuse University star John Wallace will appear and speak to participants about the importance of physical fitness and positive influences, and what it takes to succeed in life on and off the court.
“During this vacation week when schools are closed, it’s so important to provide opportunities that will keep kids off the streets and engaged in safe, healthy and fun activities,” said SASF President Jim O’Neill. “Over the past five years, our 3 v. 3 Middle School Basketball Tournament has become a premier event that students look forward to, parents depend on, and high school basketball coaches keep watch of,” he added.
SASF’s 5th Annual Presidents’ Week 3 V. 3 Middle School Basketball Tournament – Finals
- Thursday, Feb. 23; Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031
- 8 am: Team Quarterfinals
- 12 pm: John Wallace Appearance
- 1 pm: Team Semifinals
- 2:30: Championship Game
- 3 pm: Awards Presentation
Established in 1992, the non-profit Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) offers a wide variety of after-school, Saturday, vacation and summer activities – including team and individual sports, performing and visual arts, and academic assistance – that emphasize skill development, physical and mental well-being, and a positive overall outlook on the educational experience.
SASF serves more than 50,000 students from 300 public schools annually, and combines high-quality sports and arts programming with academic tutoring, character development workshops and community service learning projects to combat three growing threats to the well-being of urban youth: the alarming high school drop-out rate; growing cases of childhood obesity; and increasing youth-on-youth violence.
