Sunday,
December 22, 2013
By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer
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Competitive basketball was a sidenote in a weekend of bonding between the Saddle River Day and Newtown (CT) girls basketball teams. |
NEWTOWN – On the high school level more than any than any other, basketball is more than just a sport. It is a chance to expose young student-athletes to experiences that will stay with them well into adulthood. High school basketball, and high school sports in general, can also be used as a healing tool and one was certainly needed after the tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT just over one year ago when 20 children and six adults were lost in an act of senseless violence.
After it happened, the Newtown High School girls basketball team was devastated, as was the rest of the nation. There was utter sadness and despair left in the wake of the tragedy. Getting back on the court and playing was merely an escape from reality.
The emotions were still raw when Newtown head coach Jeremy O'Connell helped start the 3's for Sandy Hook Foundation, and Saddle River Day wanted to get involved in someway. What started as just an idea for a benefit game last year at Ramapo College for the families of the victims of that tragic day also built a bond between two girls basketball programs that will last forever.
When the two teams met again on Saturday for the second annual benefit game, it was more personal for two reasons. One, the game was held at Newtown High School. Two, the players got to strengthen those ties that were made last year. The emotional connection between the two sides has become more than ever could have been built between the lines of a basketball court. This was more than just a game.
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Izzy McMahon, Saddle River Day's lone senior, felt the full importance of being a part of the Threes For Charity Tournament. |
Saddle River Day won on Saturday, 49-37, but the score at the end of the game was insignificant. The kindness the teams showed to one another before, during, and after the contest and the friendships that have blossomed are far more important than the outcome of any 32 minute basketball game.
“There's no other way to say it, this game is just different,” said Izzy McMahon, Saddle River Day's lone senior and also its only upperclassman. “We can't even imagine what the players and the people in their town went through. Even though we're such close friends now, it's a very emotional experience every time we see each other. We play hard against each other when we're on the court, but it's just to show support and love for everyone in this community.”
The festivities started on Friday night when the Lady Rebels surprised the Newtown players by attending their home opener. Both teams met each other with smiles and hugs that lasted for quite some time before Newtown took the court. That spilled over into the pre-game on Saturday where there were more smiles and waves than anything else.
After a sluggish start in a loss to Farmington (CT) in the opener on Friday, senior captain Cassie Ekstrom got Newtown off to a hot start with five straight points to start the game. Saddle River Day could not get into a rhythm, but was able to shake off the slow start with Kelly Hannigan hitting a big three-pointer to give the Rebels some breathing room at halftime where both head coaches, Newtown's Jeremy O'Connell and Saddle River Day's Brown, addressed the crowd and thanked each other's programs for being so gracious, accommodating, and loving in the face of tragedy.
“I can't thank Danny and Saddle River Day enough for their generosity. It's truly an amazing thing,” said O'Connell. “The Threes for Sandy Hook foundation was just something we felt we needed to do. The outpouring of support has been incredible and Saddle River Day has been there every step of the way. The friendships and bonds you get through basketball and sports in general are more important than any win or loss either these kids, Danny, or myself will ever experience.”
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Mali Florczyk and Newtown hung around deep into the game. |
Despite being down by double-digits on two occasions, Newtown hung around into fourth quarter. Mali Florczyk was fouled on a three-point shot and hit all three free-throws to bring the Nighthawks within 37-34 with 6:34 to play. The Rebels finally got their legs underneath them and got a key contribution late from freshman center Danielle Deoul. She hit a pair of jumpers from the exact same spot on consecutive possessions and the Rebels pulled away late to get off to a 1-0 start on the season.
There was no postgame handshake, however, as the usual line turned into a series of hugs, the kind that everyone in the Newtown gymnasium could feel.
The emotions of the weekend were overwhelming and that is a good thing because they show that the human spirit is resilient. The acts of caring for someone else, of giving someone a hug for no other reason than it just feels right shows that good and genuine hearts will always triumph over evil acts.
“This is about showing love to a town and a community that deserves every bit of it,” said McMahon. “Playing in this game makes you realize that while we all love the sport, basketball is just a game. You have to step back and look at things through the eyes of other people to really get perspective. We want everyone up here to know that we do love them and we do care, and we'll always show support to those who have suffered through the trauma the people up here have gone through. Our teams have created a bond and a connection internally that goes well beyond the basketball court and that will last the rest of our lives.”
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