The six winning teams from the 46th Annual Elementary Basketball Tournament were recognized at the Lynn School Committee meeting on Thursday.
The tournament started right after February vacation and ran through the end of March, with the annual All-Star game being the final event to wrap it up. It consisted of a couple of games in each division that determined each team’s position, followed by a round of elimination games and, finally, the championship.
The Ford Falcons were the winning Division I team for boys and girls. In Division II, the Callahan Eagles for girls and Shoemaker Sharks for boys won, and in Division III, the Aborn Owls for girls and Brickett Tigers for boys won.
Sean Morris, a teacher at Lynn Woods and the tournament director for the last 11 years mentioned that this is the first time the teams have been recognized at a school committee meeting and that they were overjoyed to be there and have that moment.
“They all looked so proud… most of the coaches were there, some of the principles were there,” Morris said. “There was just a lot of pride that they were recognized.”
He also discussed what the tournament encouraged for young athletes and its effect on the community.
“Like any sport, it’s to promote teamwork, cooperation, and because all these kids are in school together… promote pride as well… for their school and community,” Morris said.
When discussing the community, he explained the endless support and feedback he’s received, especially those posted on their tournament’s Facebook page.
“We get a lot of feedback through that. And people just really love this tournament year after year, and they really look forward to it,” Morris said.
Morris also noted that this has been part of the community for a long time and is the longest-running elementary school tournament in Massachusetts. He said that he’s seen parents who played in it now, there to watch their kids play.
“The amount of people who come out… between parents, families, staff of the schools… including principles, support staff, custodians, other students who support their friends… it really brings the community together,” Morris said. “And people just really look forward to it each year.”
All the staff who worked for this event were 100 percent volunteers as well, showing overwhelming care for the young athletes and their game.
“Coming in… when the kids play, when the fans come… we get a lot out of it too. So we get as excited to have them come as they are to play,” Morris said. “It’s a great experience.”
And it’s this appreciation and care from members all around the community that seem to help kids keep pushing on, and feel like their potential is noticed.
“Sometimes I’ll say to someone… We’re gonna hear this kid’s name when they get to high school in five years… and we do,” Morris said. “And it kinda sparks them to keep going with it…”
