Wildcats Win Winter Recess Basketball Tournament

The tournament champion Wildcats (l. to r.): Mazi Brickous, DeShaun Mitchell, Tournament MVP David Rich, Isaiah Kemp, Dwayne Carrol, Jeffrey Falconi, Tenie Johnson and Tayshawn Harris, posed with (c.) Coach PSA 9 Officer Dina Valentin and (back row, l. to r.): All Stars Coach Officer Darryl Johnson. Police Department Advisory Liaison Detective Melvin Rodriguez, PSA 9 Community Council President Juanita Brathwaite and (far r.) PSA 9 Commanding Officer Captain Nancy Barry. Photo Vinny DuPre

The Wildcats, coached by PSA 9 Police Officer Dina Valentin, took home the tournament trophy in the second annual Peter F. Vallone Jr. Winter Recess Basketball Tournament, held February 19, 20 and 21 at the Variety Boys and Girls Club, 21-12 30th Rd., Astoria. The Wildcats, the Ballers, All Stars, and Phantoms teams each consisted of eight boys between the ages of 11 and 13 who reside in the Astoria, Ravenswood, Queensbridge or Woodside houses. They practiced for the tournament on February 18; the tournament began in earnest the day afterward.

City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., who raised $500 in funding to support the tournament, in conjunction with Police Service Area (PSA) 9 and the PSA 9 Community Council, encouraged neighborhood youths to come, play and meet the police officers who patrol their neighborhoods. "Sports and friendly competition are great ways to build relationships, and creating bonds between local police and the youth they protect is an important step to establishing respect between a community and its authorities," said Vallone. "I'm happy to support an event that will foster growth between the NYPD and public housing residents."

At the awards ceremony at the Variety Boys & Girls Club on February 21, the Rev. Dwayne L. Jackson, pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria delivered the invocation. PSA 9 Community Council President Juanita Brathwaite introduced the dais speakers and Vallone, with PSA 9 Officers Elcock and Chandra, presented awards to the Wildcats and their competitors in a ceremony with police and community officials in attendance.

Wildcats player David Rich was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. With his teammates, Mazi Brickous, DeShaun Mitchell, Isaiah Kemp, Dwayne Carrol, Jeffrey Falconi, Tenie Johnson and Tayshawn Harris applauding, he accepted the award.

Vallone, Captain Nancy Barry, PSA 9 commanding officer, and Rodney Fuller, Variety Boys & Girls Club executive director, also commended the youngsters for their sportsmanlike conduct and team spirit.

The All-Stars, Khalil Benaissa, Justin Bethvne, Ronel Christian, Angel Fernandez, Deshaun McClellan, Steven Nivar, Ernest Nichol, Darryl Peterson and Marquis Zaire Reid, were coached by PSA 9 Officer Darryl Johnson. The Ballers, Mehdi Benaissa, Brandon Claudio, Tony Isaiah Holder, Raeqwon Ingram, Karl-Xavier Kouakou, Ryan S. Rampersaud, Renique Samuel, Jason Weaver and Jeriah Daniels, were coached by Officer David Franks, and the Phantoms, Marquise Caviness, Tyrone Cohen Jr., Youness Elkhou, Peter Jordan, Nicholas Pena, Joshua Lee, Tyrone Mathis, Michael Torrvella and Terrell Williams, were coached by Sergeant Thomas LaRegina.