SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Several Springfield basketball teams received state recognition for their success at the Caribbean International Shootout Basketball Tournament last month.
Man driving with no lights on crashes into McDonald’s in Springfield It was a celebration of a major achievement for the birthplace of basketball Monday night. Four local teams are celebrating their win at the Caribbean International Shootout basketball tournament in Puerto Rico in July.
“It was good having a great time,” said Springfield Trailblazers basketball player, Carlos Martinez.
“It was just great having all of us come together and actually winning the championship,” added Springfield 413 Elite basketball player, Jovan Ruyz.
Four of six Springfield-based teams won championship titles, each finishing with an undefeated record of 4 and 0. The winning teams were Springfield 413 Elite, Springfield Trailblazers, and two teams from Hoops of Honor. Each team faced strong competition from other countries including the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the Virgin Islands.
“Having the experience to come to another country and play with other people,” said Martinez.
“They did well and it was great to see them perform on that stage,” expressed Coach for Springfield Trailblazers, Leon Thorne.
These athletes were honored for being ambassadors for their city and state in the Caribbean games. “It’s a sense of pride and it’s a sense of recognition,” said State Representative Carlos Gonzalez.
State Representative Gonzalez presented them with a citation for their hard work on behalf of the House of Representatives. “It’s important that we help them and support them and recognize them when they’re young competing in this type of tournament, But it’s not only about basketball it’s about education and creating successful men in the future,” added State Representative Gonzalez.
“I see them coming along pretty good and it’s definitely working out for them,” said Thorne.
Before they move on to other tournaments, they’ve been invited to a recognition ceremony at the Statehouse in Boston early next year.
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