By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole Youth Basketball Association (WYBA) hosted its annual 3-on-3 tournament for boys and girls in grades 2-8 at the sparkling new Walpole Middle School. A total 245 players comprising 69 teams participated in the round robin tournament for two days of March Madness.
Started in 2003 and held annually since, except for two COVID years, the 21st tournament now includes second generation Walpolian participants. The spirit, camaraderie, outfits and fun hasn’t changed through the years.
The forty nine boys’ teams tipped off on Saturday starting with second and third graders and continuing with each grade until grades 7 and 8. The 20 teams of girls played in three time slots on Sunday.
The goals of the tournament are to promote the organizational skills of the children as well as allowing them to enjoy a day of basketball with their friends with minimal adult direction.
The champions of each division were:
Girls:
Grade 2/3 – Layup Lifeguards (OT) – Maddie Dixon, Emily Hernon, Giuliana Beroldi
Grade 4/5 – The Aces – Morgan Ludwig, Molly Patterson, Olivia Lavie
Grade 6/7 – Dunking Divas – Antonia Falcone, Julia Keough, Chloe Alfieri
Boys:
Grade 2 – Timberwolves – Aidan Oullette, Christopher Retos, Ethan Saulog
Grade 3 – The Boston Ballers (OT) – Charlie Crabbe, Johnny Delaney, Reece Harrington
Grade 4 – Kobe Wan Kanobi – Daniel Falcone, Brian Hassler, Cam Sawyer
Grade 5 – Team of Legends – Jack Brennan, Toby Collins, JJ Johnson, Jack Karacalidis
Grade 6 – Green Beans – Joe Hall, Jonah Samara, Declan Sullivan
Grade 7/8 - Ice Spice Elite – Chris Casto, Shane Fedor, Ryan Messina
The spirit award winners were:
Girls:
Grade 2/3 – Swish Squad – Leilani Sawyer, Scarlett Anzalone, Reese Schlittler, Colby McCabe
Grade 4/5 – Lavender Haze – Grayson Monnell, Lily Glover, Vivi Travers
Grade 6/7 – Hawaiians – Charlotte Nasson, Callie Bissonette, Isla O’Connor
Boys:
Grade 2/3 – Swish Squad – Hayes Campbell, Thomas Degirolamo, Kenny Levie, Will O’Brien
Grade 4 -All Stars – Robbie MacLean, John MacLean, PJ Murray, Coleman Sertich
Grade 5 – The Three Basketeers – Ellis Denitzio, Owen Koenig, Jospeh Martinez
Grade 6 -Lucky Charms – Matthew Alexander, TJ Mulgrew, Tucker Sullivan, James Toomey
Grade 7/8 – Grouches – Lyle Campbell, AJ Finocchi, James McCabe, Connor McMann
Honorable mention Hungry Hippos – Adrian Bero, Nathan Carlo, Sam Stalcup, Tanner Sullivan
Champions were awarded gift cards to Rita’s in Walpole.
Lead volunteers included Peter and Collen Gray, Chandler and Tucker Sullivan as well as Khalil Samara. Their hard work and dedication were instrumental in the success of the weekend.
There were many volunteers, from score consolidators to score keepers to referees to National Honor Society students, who offered their boundless time and energy for the kids for the entire tournament. The school custodians at the middle school are the quietly efficient men who “just get it done”.
The support of the WYBA officers, including President Tom Neufeld, were critical for the entire weekend’s activities.
