Our Community Sports Leagues wrapped up a successful basketball season on March 28, with New Design Middle School taking the boys championship title and St. Hope Leadership Academy Charter School claiming victory on the girls’ side. Both games were high energy, and the players showed a lot of heart from start to finish.
Boys Championship Game Recap
Right off the bat, top-seeded New Design Middle School showed why they were the best team in the league and dominated second-seeded Harlem Village Academy Charter School. There was high energy on the court and in the bleachers throughout the game. The game ended with New Design Middle School being crowned as champions with a 37-18 win.
New Design Middle School and Harlem Village Academy Charter School have been a part of the Community Sports League for two and six years, respectively. This was New Design Middle School’s first league title.
Notable players from New Design Middle School were Noel Jiminez, who played well all season long, and Ramsay Saleh, who had a breakthrough performance with 15 points in the championship game. For Harlem Village Academy Charter School, Joshue Abreu led the team with 7 points, 11 rebounds and 1 steal.
The support this season from the community was incredible! For our semifinal game between Harlem Village Academy Leadership Charter School and Harlem Village Academy Charter School, we had a record-breaking 200+ spectators cheering the two teams on.
Girls Championship Game Recap
Second-seeded St. Hope Leadership Academy Charter School pulled off an upset to beat undefeated PS 180 and claim the championship title with a 40-32 win. St. Hope’s consistency led them to their first championship in their six years in the league.
PS 180, who have been a part of the league for three years, had control of the game in the first half, but their momentum started to dwindle when All-Star Tanei Rivera had to sit out in the third quarter because of foul trouble. From that point on, St. Hope took advantage and picked up momentum. This game was one of the best matchups of the season, and as a result, the energy was off the charts in the gym.
Keyani Sidberry and Kelnisha Butler led St. Hope in their victory. Sidberry had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals, and Butler had 14 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Jasmine Redd led PS 180 with 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 steals, and Tanei Rivera contributed 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, respectively.