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Mostly Cloudy A slam-dunk for the community
Record turnout at Elmont’s 3-on-3
Elmont’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament had a record turnout last Saturday — nearly 4,300.
An annual event for fifth-grade to college students that has garnered both local and Long Island-wide attention, the 3-on-3 tournament was established seven years ago by the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Committee — chaired by Scott Cushing, executive assistant for Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola). The event was held at the Dutch Broadway School in Elmont.
At 7 a.m., more than 200 volunteers were working to prepare for the event — putting up banners, assembling tents, setting up hoops and finishing the finishing touches. About an hour later, balls were dribbling. By 10 a.m., the tournament had brought in nearly 1,500 attendees.
The anticipation was palpable for the wheelchair match between the Elmont Memorial High School boys’ basketball team and the Henry Viscardi School wheelchair basketball team. The Elmont Spartans’ players played the game in wheelchairs, as well.
“This was one of the most emotional things I think I have ever seen,” said Darian Bryant, an Elmont resident. “Only in Elmont could you see a game like this. It has educated all of us.”
John Starks, who played for the New York Knicks, conducted the tip-off for the Elmont-Viscardi game. “The Knicks are proud to be a part of this day,” Starks said.
Following tip-off, at 11 a.m., an aggressive game was played between the Spartans and Cougars, ending in a 74-53 win for Viscardi.
Following the opening game, hundreds of 3-on-3 basketball games were played throughout the day, until 8 p.m., and more than 200 high school and college students suited up for 7-on-7 football games. Several students took part in the tournament’s slam-dunk competition, during which Elmont Senior Aaron Dennis, a local soccer star, flipped a basketball in the air with his feet to Alex Bowen, who slam-dunked the ball for a sensational score.
Additionally, soccer games were held throughout the day; students took turns playing with Elmont Memorial graduates and soccer legends Ahkeel Rodney, Ajani Jones, Darian Bryant and Jules Riche.
