(22 News WWLP) Youth teams from the Springfield YMCA and Holyoke YMCA faced off Saturday in a friendly basketball game at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.
The competition aimed to promote youth sportsmanship and bring young athletes from neighboring communities together.
State Sen. Adam Gomez and State Sen. John Velis led the respective city teams as coaches and supporters. The event gave local youth an opportunity to play on the courts at the Basketball Hall of Fame while supporting healthy competition between the two nearby cities.
State Sen. Gomez of Springfield spoke about the connection between the neighboring districts during the event. “Both of our districts what separates them is just bridges, so I’d like to say that Sen. Velis and I are going to become two bridge builders when it comes to bringing our communities together,” Gomez said.
State Sen. Velis, who represents Hampden and Hampshire Counties, emphasized the game’s social impact on young athletes. “Every friend was once a stranger,” Velis said. “My hope is that the kids from Springfield and Holyoke get to know each other, exchange phone numbers, become buddies, and play basketball. And it’s to be able to do this. How fortunate are we that we get to host this basketball game tonight?”
The event featured extra activities for the players on the court. Each team held a game of knockout during halftime. The last player standing on each side won a $200 gift card to Foot Locker provided on behalf of the Holyoke and Springfield YMCAs.
Emanuel Gonzalez, a player representing Holyoke, noted his experience playing with participants across different seasons. “It just brings us closer, even through the winter leagues, the summer leagues, we play together all the time so it feels great competing with them again,” Gonzalez said.