While the rest of the country is captivated with March Madness, members of our community celebrated the achievements of local kids participating in youth sports and academic challenges.

Port Richmond Leprechauns basketball team

The spotlight was shining bright on Port Richmond’s own Leprechauns Boys Basketball Team on Saturday, March 12th, when Coach Kyle and Coach Josh hosted a “Celebration of a Winning Season” at Villagio’s Café on Clearfield Street.

With the guidance of their proud coaches, family, and friends, the team’s hard work and dedication was recognized as each boy was presented with a trophy for participating in a winning season. The team then turned the tables on the coaches, honoring them with their own trophies and gifts for being MVP Coaches.

To officially conclude their amazing season, the team partied, enjoying great food, pizza and treats provided by parents. The Leprechauns are already discussing their plans for next season.

Leprechauns Basketball Team… #Stand Tall… #Stand Proud… #Stand War Ready

Hancock Rec Sixers’ Neighborhood Basketball League

Hancock Rec’s Sixers’ Neighborhood Basketball League just finished up another great season. Larry Vaughan, league director, said that he coached one of the best classes of players yet in the 2016 season. Although the league was smaller than usual, Coach Larry believes this year’s team featured some of its best players yet.

“I believe that they were more dedicated and more focused than our players before,” Coach Larry said.

The Hancock Rec team played at Moffett Elementary School thanks to Principal Navarro and her staff. The Philadelphia 76ers, along with Mr. Michael Grubb of the Sports and Athletics  Department for the City of Philadelphia, helped with the rec’s sponsorship, as well as Hancock’s Advisory Council. The league would also like to thank Supervisor Jon Rocks and league commissioner Donald Mason for their support.

The children who participated developed valuable basketball skills as well as life lessons. This year’s age group was 11 and under (co-ed). Hancock Rec is considering including this age group in their summer leagues.

15th Annual Fishtown March Madness Academic Competition

While kids achieved on the basketball court, hundreds of local grade school students squared off in a stunning display of smarts all formatted like the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the 15th Annual Fishtown March Madness Academic Competition at Shissler Rec Center. On Friday, March 18th, Saint Laurentius School edged out Our Lady of Port Richmond in the JV Division while Our Lady of Port Richmond beat Visitation in the Varsity division.

The event was sponsored by the Penn Treaty SSD and has grown into the largest community-based academic event in Philadelphia. This year’s competition was dedicated to the memory of Tim Breslin, a neighborhood volunteer, father, coach and husband who was instrumental in creating the SSD and served on its board for many years.

In addition to the March Madness, Fishtown Teachers of the Year and the Joseph M. Minarik Memorial Educator of the Year Awards were presented to the neighborhood’s top educators.