Long Island City YMCA Team Hits The Garden
The LIC YMCA Team (from left to right) consists of John Cinar, Michelle Montalvo, Daniel Sylvester, Mya Sylvester, Amy Molina, Raheem Brinson, Tahj Mason, Jade Tse and Mexsie Jenkins. On Friday, Dec. 26, during halftime of the New York Knicks' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Long Island City YMCA team (representing over 200 kids playing in the Junior Knicks program at Long Island City YMCA) played the Cross Island YMCA Beacon team (representing over 500 players playing there).
On this night the two teams were treated by the host Knicks to a meal at the Play by Play restaurant, floor seats to the pre-game shoot around, an opportunity to meet Knick legend Cal Ramsey and current Knick player Jared Jeffries and the opportunity of a young lifetime to play on The Garden floor.
Even though the final score favored Long Island City, the players from both teams had an unforgettable experience. Most only dream of being able to play on the Garden floor but these 18 players between the ages of eight and 11 were able to live that dream.
The LIC YMCA and Cross Island Beacon teams pictured with Knicks legend Cal Ramsey (director of special projects and community relations representative) during the player's visit to the pre-game shoot around. Some of the players were mesmerized by such a big basketball court and all the fans, some took it all in stride and one said that the pre-game food was the best part. Many of the players' parents were on hand to witness this big moment in their children's lives and were thankful that their children were offered the opportunity to participate.
Each year, the Junior Knicks Program serves almost 8,000 players citywide in a partnership between the YMCA of Greater New York and the New York Knicks with the sponsorship of Sprite and Foot Locker.
The program emphasizes learning the game of basketball, developing athletic and social skills while practicing the YMCA's core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring. In addition, there are hundreds of volunteers throughout the city that make the program possible.
Members of the LIC YMCA and Cross Island Beacon teams are pictured with current Knicks player Jared Jeffries during the pre-game shoot around. To volunteer your time or enroll your child in Youth Sports Programs at the Long Island City YMCA, contact Thomas Sylvester at 1-718-392-7932 x239 or by email at tsylvester@ymcanyc.org.
 The LIC YMCA team (White) and Cross Island Beacon team (Blue) after the game sharing a moment in the press room. |
