3-on-3 tournament draws record crowd

In its ninth year, The Martins Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has grown to new leaps and bounds. The tournament, which was held on July 14 at the Dutch Broadway School in Elmont, attracted a crowd of over 6,000 residents. The event featured 3-on-3 basketball tournaments for locals in fourth grade through college as well as 7-on-7 football games, lacrosse camps, a lacrosse game and a soccer exhibition.

Founded in 2003, the tournament has grown from its original 120 children and original format. “The thing just exploded,” chairman Scott Cushing said. “It turned into this massive community basketball tournament.”

The event, which is sponsored by New York State Senator Jack Martins, is meant to bring the entire community together, not just those wishing to show off their athletic prowess. Parents and neighbors enjoyed the day watching their friends and children play in the various events or simply enjoyed a hamburger in the energetic environment. Fundraising and planning for the event, which is completely free for those in attendance, began back in February. Volunteers from the community, including local high school and college students met frequently to brainstorm fundraising ideas and activities for the day.

The 3-on-3 tournament drew players from the local elementary schools and the Sewanhaka Central High School District. For the second year in a row, members of the Elmont Memorial High School basketball team took on the Cougars of the Henry Viscardi School. The Elmont Spartans again played in wheelchairs to take on their opponents. Henry Viscardi came out on top for the second consecutive year.
The 7-on-7 flag football tournament was available for high school and college res-idents and drew alumni from all over the central high school district. This was the first year a lacrosse tournament was offered for both boys and girls. The tournament, called “old skool versus new skool,” had high school players teamed up against returning college players. In both the girls and boys game the high school teams took the title.