Team Norway Seizes Victory in Charity Basketball Tournament

By Edward Pankowski

 

               In a charity basketball game organized by the Youth Asset Team, Team Norway, lead by junior George Phillips, was able to emerge victorious from a competition that included teams from every grade and skill level. The Thursday night game had greater than expected participation from students, seventy of whom attended the game as either players, spectators or officials.

              

               In the weeks leading up to the event, organizers like Isabelle Perticone and Nicholas Howe advertised the game, encouraging students to form teams with their friends and compete for a free lunch of their choosing, delivered by Darien’s own Student Resource Officer, Mr. James Palmieri. Teams were encouraged to be unique, and they showed it on Thursday night, bringing customized jerseys and team names like “Air Congo” and “ The Precipitators.”

               Nonetheless, all the teams agreed on one thing: they were destined for victory. One player with the “Mad Yatters,” junior Brian Alter, said, “We are going all the way. I want it all.” Another team, “Air Congo,” were also enthusiastic about their chances. “ We’ve got it locked up,” the team said in a pre-game interview.

                Early on, the teams that had athletic talent, including some students who played for the school basketball team, dominated the competition. Teams like “The Kids,” lead by senior Lexi Perticone, and “JCP,” lead by junior Peter Nelson, demonstrated remarkable skill on the court, assisted by the experience that the team members possessed.

               Ultimately, however, the evening’s bracket narrowed, and the championship game came down to the Pladdy Daddies and Team Norway. In an intense competition, in which both sides showed hard work and determination, Team Norway was ultimately able to carry the game and the tournament. In a post-game interview, Team Norway said the victory was the result of a “team effort,” and the victory was “awesome.” When asked about future plans, the team said, “We’re going to have a free lunch!”

               Organizer Nick Howe said the event was a “huge success, where everyone had a good time,” and said that he hoped to improve the tournament for a competition next year. “This year was an experiment,” he said. “Next year, we hope to publicize the tournament more, and hopefully get more teams to participate.” The event raised approximately one hundred dollars for charity, and if this year’s competition was any indication, next year should be an even greater success for the Youth Asset Team.

Photo Caption: The Pladdy Daddies (left) and Team Norway (right) prepare for the championship game in Thursday’s tournament.