Turn It Around basketball tournament hits the hardwood this Saturday
By Seth Daniel
The Charlestown Coalition’s Turn It Around program will host the fourth annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday in the Community Center.
The exciting annual event will be prefaced on Friday, April 27, with a pasta dinner at the Charlestown YMCA for the players and their parents.
Director Sarah Coughlin said they are hoping for about 100 participants to be divided into teams of three, with each team competing for the top prize all day on Saturday.
Teams will be divided up into two age brackets, ages 10-13 and ages 14-18. The tournament will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s now become something that a lot of kids get excited about each year,” said Coughlin. “It’s really about more participation for youth in the community. That reduces the likelihood of engaging in risky behavior. It’s also helping kids from different areas of the community get to know one another and have a sense of unity.”
The pasta dinner will take place at 6 p.m. and will have guest speaker Mike Champlain to give a presentation on overcoming adversity.
This tournament is open to all middle and high school aged youth that are residents of Charlestown. In the past, nearly 75 kids participated in the tournament and this year Turn It Around is hoping to increase these numbers to well over 100. Please come support the youth of Charlestown while enjoying food, fun, raffles, and of course cheering on our youth during a series of 3-on-3 games. Please contact Ginaya from the Charlestown Coalition for more information at [email protected].
Townie Sports
LET’S PLAY BALL
Charlestown Little League’s Opening Day parade and games will be held this Saturday, April 28. The parade will begin on Bunker Hill Street at Hayes Square. Teams should communicate with their coaches and gather at the Harvard-Kent playground at 8 a.m. (T-ball kids can either join the parade at the start, at the middle near Doherty park, or meet us at the field.) The parade, which runs along Bunker Hill Street, will end at the Little League diamond at Ryan Playground where the Opening Day ceremonies will occur. All are welcome to cheer on the players along the parade route and in the games that follow. Concessions and face painting will be available at the Greatorex Clubhouse as well.
This year, Mayor Martin Walsh will lead the Opening Day Parade down Bunker Hill Street and also throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the year.
THE AYES HAVE IT
The Pope John XXIII High School state champion “hoop” team was recognized by the House of Representatives for their “history-making” achievement. The event included a tour of the State House for the players, who received a “standing ovation” from the State Representatives. Also, on hand was fellow “Townie” State Rep. Danny Ryan, who presented Head Coach Leo Boucher and junior forward Conor Kelly with a citation.
CHL PLAYOFFS – ROUND 2 (best of 7)
- Friday, 4/27: Manchester at Adirondack
- Saturday, 4/28: Manchester at Adirondack
- Tuesday, 5/1: Manchester at Adirondack
- THU 5/3: Manchester at Adirondack
** If necessary
- Sunday, 5/6: Adirondack at Manchester
- Monday, 5/7: Adirondack at Manchester
- Wednesday, 5/9: Manchester at Adirondack
- TOWNIE ROOTS:
Manchester rookie wing Mike Doherty has season totals of 21 goals, 25 assists and 196 shots on net (including playoffs).
SIGN UP FOR BABE RUTH!!!
Registration for the 2018 Charlestown Babe Ruth summer program is underway and practices will begin soon at Ryan Playground (adjacent to the Schraffts Building). Players can register online at charlestownbaberuth.website.siplay.com/; the fee is $75. The program will field two teams (13-15-year-old team and 16-18 year-old team) and a typical summer league season begins at the end of June and playoffs are completed by mid-August.
- 13-15-year-old team – Any player born prior to May 1, 2005 and on or after May 1, 2002 will be eligible for Babe Ruth 13-15 League competition.
- 16-18-year-old team – Any player born prior to May 1, 2002 and on or after January 1, 1999 will be eligible for Senior Babe Ruth 16-18 League competition.
The Charlestown Babe Ruth program was chartered in 2017 (a total of 33 players participated on two teams). The 13-15-year-old team finished with a 9-6 record in the Middlesex Summer League, notched a playoff victory, and competed in the annual District #3 Babe Ruth spring tournament. The 16-18 year-old team posted a 7-2 record as an independent and will be joining the Northeast Senior Babe Ruth League this summer.
Charlestown Babe Ruth is also looking for adult volunteers (especially those with high school or college baseball experience) to help run practices, serve as coaches, or provide transportation to away games. If you have any questions, please E-Mail [email protected].
COLLEGE
SOFTBALL/BASEBALL
Connor Henry, Colby-Sawyer (SR)
Patrick Kelly, St. Joseph ME (FR)
Patrick Burke, Worcester St. (FR)
Katelyn Ellard, UMass-Lowell (FR)
Jake Scanlan, New England College (FR)