It was anything but silent this spring at Rachel Carson I.S. 237 Magnet School for the Arts in Flushing during the final game of the after-school basketball tournament.
With scores of excited teens cheering their heroes, as two teams battled to an 87-85 conclusion on Wednesday, April 7, in a see-saw battle not decided until the waning seconds.
The Rachel Carson Community Association, which runs the program, is supported by private donations and funding from local officials, including the Isaac Sasson Charitable Foundation, Assemblymember Grace Meng and Councilmembers Peter Koo and Dan Halloran.
“We’re glad to take an interest in this place,” said Don Capalbi, representing Meng. “It’s packed, with sports and games including videos.”
“The program is ongoing, with more than 100 kids participating,” said John Henry Byas, a program supervisor, who noted that the tournament drew new kids to the school gymnasium, at 46-21 Colden Street. “It was like the ‘Final Four’ of Flushing,” quipped Shirley Bryant, director of the association.
“This is real sport,” commented Koo, as the champs and runners-up exchanged various handshakes – and without further ado, went off to be with their pals.
