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The second annual CDPHP
Invitational high school basketball tournament, scheduled
for Thanksgiving weekend, will showcase a Siena-bound star
from the Bronx; a hard-driving coach who demands that his
players in Harlem put academics first; the 1996-97 Albany
High School Falcons girls state championship team; and a
host of area squads looking to tip off their seasons with a
win.
The two-day CDPHP
Invitational Tournament will be on Friday, Nov. 24 at area
high schools, and Saturday, Nov. 25 at the University at
Albany’s SEFCU Arena.
The tournament will
begin at 4 p.m. on Friday when the Albany High School girls
take to their home court against Staten Island Tech. At 6
p.m., there will be a ceremony during which the Albany
Booster Club will honor the school’s 1996-97 girls state
championship team -- an event that will include the hanging
of a championship banner. Several players from that team are
expected to attend.
"This exciting weekend
of basketball and family fun is yet another event that
showcases the talents of our students. We thank CDPHP, the
Albany Booster Club, and all of their partners for
organizing it," said school district Superintendent Eva
Joseph. "The Booster Club is truly one of the biggest fans
of our students as it continues to support them in
activities and programs that range from athletics to
extracurricular to school-based health initiatives."
CDPHP is the underwriter
for the two-day tournament, which is the principle
fundraiser for the Albany Booster Club. This not-for-profit
organization, which organizes this annual tournament, is
comprised of active parents and community members in the
city of Albany. The club provides funding for students’
academic, athletic and cultural needs.
"CDPHP is pleased to
once again serve as the title sponsor of this healthy,
fun-filled and entertaining sporting event that brings
together some of the finest basketball players in the
Capital Region as well as from New York City," said William
J. Cromie, MD, MBA, and president and CEO, CDPHP. "We look
forward to two days of competition and excitement."
This year’s tournament
features teams from four area high schools (Albany,
Schenectady, Guilderland, and LaSalle) competing in the
round robin tournament. Along with the Staten Island Tech
girl’s team, the New York City area will be represented by
the boys teams from Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Academy, and
All Hallows High School in the Bronx.
The tournament comes
less than two months after All Hallows standout guard Chris
De La Rosa announced his intention to attend Siena College
next year and play for the Saints. De La Rosa’s team will
play against Schenectady High School at Schenectady on
Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., and will face LaSalle at the
SEFCU Arena on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Also at 7 p.m. on
Friday, former Albany High School basketball star Troy
Turner will coach his first game for the Falcons as they
square off against Frederick Douglass Academy at 7 p.m. at
Albany High School. Frederick Douglass Academy is well known
for its head boys basketball Coach Pat Mangan, who requires
his players maintain an academic average of at least 80 and
prepare adequately for college, whether their plans include
basketball or not.
The festivities continue
on Saturday with four games at UAlbany’s SEFCU Center.
Admission to the SEFCU Arena on Saturday is $5 for adults
and $3 for students.
“Sports fans should join
us Saturday at the SEFCU Arena at UAlbany to see tomorrow’s
stars today,” Ron Dunn of the Booster Club said. “It’s a
great chance to watch quality Capital District teams taking
on some of New York City’s best squads while also helping
raise funds for Albany’s schools.”
Funds raised from the CDPHP Invitational will
go toward the many grants the Booster Club provides to
schools and programs within the City School District of
Albany. Recent Booster Club grants and financial support
include the purchase of a digital piano; sewing machines and
equipment for the fashion club; underwriting need-based
scholarships for athletes to attend clinics and camps;
supporting the purchase of a mobile dental van that provides
care to low-income students; and annual scholarships to
cover Empire State Youth Orchestra tuition for two district
students.
Other groups working
closely with the Booster Club to organize the tournament
include the Albany Fund for Education, the Albany Rotary
Club, Macedonia Baptist Church, the Albany City Council
Parent Teachers Association, and the Albany Public Schools
Teachers Association.
For more information
about the 2nd Annual CDPHP Invitational
Tournament, the Albany Booster Club, or its grant
application procedures, please contact Bernie Mulligan at
bmulligan51@hotmail.com or 469-2035. |
