Basketball Tournament photos by Andre Cirilo (16U Girls Green and Red Team)
Basketball Tournament photos by Andre Cirilo (16U Girls Green and Red Team)

Loisaida Basketball

Bringing back support for Basketball and Sports related activities to our hood

At Loisaida Inc. we have continuously supported local sports leagues and other youth physical activities since the early 1980’s. More that one year ago, Loisaida resident Jesse Brennan came to Loisaida Inc. with the idea of creating a basketball tournament for the neighborhood, by the neighborhood. Jesse worried that these type of sports related events had been decreasing in our community from the days when he was growing up. Now a proud uncle, Jesse wanted to organize a community basketball tournament, one where his young nephew could later look up to participating every year.

With Jesse’s encouragement, Alejandro Epifanio, Executive Director at Loisaida Inc., together with Danny Rodriguez from our sister organization The Clemente, all set out to make the tournament happen. A year later, with the advice and experience of Thomas Brasuell (former MLB Charities Director) who took it upon himself to raise the bar of what was thought could be possible, Loisaida Inc. Center inaugurated the first Loisaida Basketball Tournament. The tournament took place at Dry Dock playground on 10th Street and Avenue D during the month of May and as part of the 32nd Loisaida Festival weekend. Thanks to Tom’s relentless support, Jesse’s inspiration and the hard work of Alejandro the first Loisaida Basketball tournament was a huge success.

The Loisaida Basketball Tournament provided an opportunity for our community youth to gather and compete in a friendly community environment through the game of basketball. With an emphasis upon mental and physical development, health, wellness and growth through teamwork, more than 400 young men and women between the ages of 12-16 years participated in the tournament, positively impacting their lives and connection with their community.

Thank you to our players, coaches and volunteers for a great inaugural tournament!


The Loisaida Basketball Tournament

Dry Dock Playground – Avenue D and 10th Street



_________

Shout out to our players: Ishan Isaac, Fasheem Paige, Jr., Felix Cuevas, Alijah Ingram, Nick Cromwell, Khiren Ortiz, Adrian Torres, Zaire Bethea, Xzavier Frias, Tylare Oger, Crishaam Chisorm, Kaeron Vixon, Taqail Edmands, Pharoah Carreo, Jayden Lau, Jayden Jones, Kalifa Ouattara, Amarion Kent, Abdel Traore, Damien Matthews, Jalen Matthews, Amani Chase, Joseph Rodriguez, Karriem Taylor, Steven Pina, Elijah Leggett, Robert Gardner, Vermin Peny, Randall Rooks III, Rashaem Chappie, Demetri Prangi, Ibrahima Camara, Mathew Capkreyl, Cardin Pierre, S’quan Butler, Kalifa Diawara, Jahmeek Harris, Pedro Figueroa, Soulemane Diallo, David Abrenica, Diyon Abrams, George Cabrera, Rahshawn Claudio, Robert Avery, Judyvette Avery, Junior Abreu, Brandon Mariera, Jaylin Lewis, Trystan Rosario, Randy Taylor, Jr., James Jones, Jr., Koree Rotger, JJ Edmond, Jayden Fraser, Jayden Lau, Tryston Rosario, Randy Taylor, Jaime Webb, Kalifa Ouattara, Amarion Kent, Brandon Mariera, James Jones, Jaylin Lewis, Abdel Traore, Xzavier Frias, Amani Chase, Jalen Matthews, Joseph Rodriguez, Nasir Nicholas, Marquise St. Cyrus, Johnny Staples, Damien Matthews, Jamari Joseph, Bryan Torres, Keishawn Morris, Sadie Brown, Abigail Okonkwo, Jada Jones, Racquel Hoffman, Nia Walker, Aleyah Moore, Hennessy Guerrero, Cearia Medina, Tiryah Excun, Skyla Lezza, Athena Sarris, Samiyah Brown, Marietou Sacko, Keylee Santana, Catreece Oden, Princess Bannister and Djeynabou Bah.


Congratulations to our Champions!

GIRLS (14U Division) BLUE TEAM! Coach: Johnnie

BOYS (14U Division) GOLD TEAM! Coach: Lau

GIRLS (16U Division) RED TEAM! Coach: Glenn

BOYS (16U Division) BLUE TEAM! Coach: Glenn


We would like to thank DJ Ralphy Ralph for providing the live beats throughout the day, Andre Cirilo and Gary Cruz for documenting the event, Bruce Radler, Mike Collins and Lee Isenstein for giving us the opportunity to use Basketball City and for providing us with Coach Gigi and other coaches who guided a top notch gym practice and the Skills Challenge.

Thank you to our volunteers, Josh, Julia, Tevin, Will and to our referees; Henry, Santos and Joey Brasuell! Thanks to Manny, Herson, Liz, Tareake, Eric, Leslie, John, Raquel, Kareem, David and all of you who provided tremendous help in spreading the word on this important community initiative for Loisaida Inc.

And finally, we acknowledge the support from Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Acacia Network team, AM Harvey Epstein, NYC Parks, NYPD-PSA 4, CM Carlina Rivera, MBP Gale Brewer and Loisaida Inc. staff for the support.


Presented by Loisaida Inc. and Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus:


With your support, we can make the upcoming 2020 Loisaida Basketball Tournament another great event!
For sponsorship opportunities and additional information, please contact Loisaida Basketball organizer Alejandro Epifanio at (917) 745-2010. Or call Loisaida Inc. offices from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at (646) 726-4716