RIOC Public Safety Department And NYPD 114 Precinct Host Roosevelt Island 3 On 3 Co-ed Teen Basketball Tournament At Sportspark Last Saturday - Watch The Exciting And Competitve Game Action Leading Up To The Gold Medal Finals

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Sportspark Director Joe Natale reports:  

On Saturday January 20th, Roosevelt Island's Public Safety Department (PSD), in conjunction with the NYPD 114th Precinct, hosted its second 3 on 3 co-ed teen basketball tournament at Sportspark. With 8 teams

all vying for the gold medal, the games were competitive, hard fought, and most importantly, fun!  

In the preliminary rounds, team “No Hablo Ingles” ran the gambit winning all 7 of their games and securing the #1 seed. The round robin tournament was a much closer battle, where “No Hablo Ingles” met the well-coached #3 seed “Sweet Yams” in the gold medal game. In a tightly contested, highly defensive game, “No Hablo Ingles” squeaked out the win by a mere 2 points to secure the gold championship medals. 

We congratulate Matthew Matias, Noel Perez, and Carmelo Valentine on a job well done and look forward to hosting more teen tournaments in the future!  

We also would like to give a special thank you to all of the RIOC departments that made this tournament come to life, including Public Safety, Communications, Operations, Youth Center, and Sportspark.  

All photos by RIOC Director of Communications & Community Affairs Bryant Daniels and PSD.

Mr Daniels adds:

We hope to host more starting in the Spring, open to both island and off-island teens. These events are designed to bolster community policing efforts on the island and help build bonds between island residents and the corporation, particularly our dedicated PSD Officers.

 Watch the action from the Roosevelt Island 3 on 3 Co-ed Teen Basketball tournament.

And the Gold Medal finals game.

Thanks to Yitza Martinez for the videos.

Take a tour of the renovated Roosevelt Island Sportspark facility reopened last May.

Former Roosevelt island Public Safety Officer Reports On Amazing Buzzer Beating Half Court Basketball Shot That Won High School Basketball Game

Former Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officer John Malone reported on what might be one of the most amazing half court buzzer beating shots of all time that ended Sunday's New Rochelle/Mount Vernon High School basketball game.

Here's the shot.



Mr. Malone, reporting for MSG Varsity, wrote:

... The play began with 2.9 seconds left in regulation and the Huguenots trailing by two. Edney, positioned on New Rochelle's baseline, threw a baseball pass to teammate Joe Clarke near center court. The duo — with Edney at quarterback and Clarke at tight end — had hooked up countless times during the fall to lead New Rochelle to a state title in football. This wasn't one of those times. Mt. Vernon's Jalen David jumped into the passing lane and deflected the ball. Teammate Devonte Banner scooped it up and floated a pass forward to Traquann Scales. Edney jumped into action, reading the play perfectly. He then stole the ball and released the shot in practically the same motion....

Click here for the entire MSG Varsity article.

The NY Times has more on "The Shot" by New Rochelle High School basketball player Khalil Edney.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety/Youth Center Connect Basketball Game

Image From Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department

Received the following message from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra:

On Tuesday, November 8th, the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department hosted it's 3rd Annual PSD~Youth Center~Connect Basketball Game. The game was held at the Child/Legacy School Gym from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Players on the Purple Team were represented by Public Safety Officers, an employee from the Child/Legacy School and a Superintendent from Roosevelt Landings.

Players from the Beige Team were young men from the Roosevelt Island community, ranging between the ages of 17-21, all of whom participate in the Young Adult Sports Program at the RIOC Sportspark Facility.

The Beige Team was victorious in a well played game by the score of 65-58. Players from both teams mingled over some food & refreshments after the game. It was nice to see the young adults interacting with the Officers from PSD in an informal environment.

Thanks go out to RIOC Board Member Sal Ferrera for his hospitality in providing the venue. Thanks also go out to RIOC Vice Presidents Fernando Martinez and Donald Lewis who were in attendance.

More information and pictures from previous Public Safety/Youth Center Connect Basketball games from earlier posts.

Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Basketball Game With Public Safety Department And Youth Program Tuesday November 8, 6 PM - Great Initiative, Come Out And Lend Your Support

Image From RIOC

Received the following message from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised the PSD/Youth Center Connect Basketball Game for tomorrow, November 8th from 6-8 p.m. has been moved to the Child Legacy High School Gymnasium located at 566 Main Street.

All are welcome to attend.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra reported on last year's game:

Pre Game Pep Talk By Chief Guerra (holding Basketball)To Both Blue & Grey Teams

On Thursday, November 11th, the Public Safety Department and the Youth Center hosted it's 2nd Annual Connect  Basketball Game.  The game was held at the Roosevelt Island Sportspark Complex and featured some of the neighborhood's most talented ball players.  Players from the PSD merged with those from the community to play a very balanced and exciting game.  The Gray team was victorious by a score of 62-59 over the Blue Team....

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Executive Director Charlie DeFino added:

Mr. DeFino Standing On Far Right Next To Chief Guerra

... Once again the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department collaborated by bringing young adults, youth center staff and public safety officers to attend our second special get to know each other basketball game at Sportspark on Thursday November 11th followed by some good old fashioned getting to know each other over refreshments and food provided by RIOC.

This program will be on-going and will evolve to other areas outside of basketball to continue it's mission of "Connecting" the community, public safety and youth center....

Come on out to the Child School Gym Tuesday at 6 PM and cheer on the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and Public Safety Department Basketball players.

More information and pictures from previous Public Safety/Youth Center Connect Basketball games from earlier posts.