By EVAN NEMEROFF
“The Oceanside Rotary Club has always been involved in the community,” Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) said. “The basketball tournament gets the kids and the school involved. It’s good to see the participants have a stage in the events in the charity work.”
The event raised nearly $3,000 for the high school seniors, with one player from the Lawrence boys and girls basketball teams receiving a $250 scholarship to help pay for their future education. There are also four scholarships for Oceanside students — three $300 scholarships and one $1,500 scholarship. These scholarships can be given to anyone in Oceanside High School, not just athletes on the basketball teams.
The money for the scholarships was mainly raised through sponsorships and donations. Richner Communications was one of more than 25 sponsors for the event. Food was also sold, along with Tip-Off Classic T-shirts, to generate money at both the boys and girls game. There was no admission charge for the games, which approximately 300 people attended.
“It’s a great opportunity for Oceanside and Lawrence to play each other in this event,” Oceanside School District Athletic Director Denise Kiernan said. “The kids have an opportunity to open their season against home-town rivals, which usually does not happen in Nassau County anymore. It helps to show the kids that Lawrence is right around the corner. All the players enjoyed themselves and left with a T-shirt.”
Lawrence has been a part of this tournament from the beginning, four years ago, when it was an all boys tournament that included the Oceanside, Lawrence, Hewlett and Valley Stream South basketball teams. Due to Toback's great relationship with Lawrence Athletic Director Pat Pizzarelli, the legislator decided three years ago that making the Tip-Off Classic solely for the boys and girls teams at Oceanside and Lawrence was a good idea.
“Oceanside has always been hospitable when it comes to this event,” Pizzarelli said. “The games have been competitive and for the kids to get a chance to get money as a gift for their education is rewarding. Anytime a student can win an award at graduation is an accomplishment for them.”
Lawrence came up short in both games, with the boys losing 60-28 and the girls by a score of 40-34. The school was thankful for the opportunity to play in the prestigious game and is looking forward to competing again in the future.
“If the opportunity is there for us, we will definitely consider participating again,” Pizzarelli said. “This is important because of the community involvement that it takes for this to get done. We need to remind our student-athletes that there are things in life bigger than basketball.”
Comments on this story? ENemeroff@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
