Press release from Rumson Country Day School
The 13th annual Hoops for Horizons 3-on-3 basketball tournament will kick off at The Rumson Country Day School on Thursday, March 5; running through Saturday, March 7 with all funds raised benefitting the Horizons Student Enrichment Program. The charity event will be held in honor of Albert E. Martin, Jr., the Red Bank Regional High School basketball player who died suddenly in December 2012. A Horizons graduate, Albert played in the Hoops tournament every year to give back to the program that made a difference in his life.
All boys and girls grades 5 and up are welcome to participate in the Albert E. Martin, Jr. Hoops for Horizons tournament. According to Horizons Executive Director Lori Hohenleitner, nearly 200 basketball players of all ages played in last year’s tournament, which raised nearly $75,000 for Horizons; a tremendous boost for the program which relies fully on private funding.
The competition begins on Thursday afternoon with 5th and 6th grade division. Games will continue on Friday afternoon with the girls 7th and 8th grade bracket. This is followed by the high school/adults under-29 bracket in the early evening. Hoops for Horizons will conclude on Saturday with the boys 7th and 8th grade and adult 30+ divisions. There will be prizes for winning teams, chance auctions, a bake sale and snacks for purchase. All money raised will benefit Horizons’ program and the local students who attend.
Horizons serves more than 175 at-risk children from Red Bank for six weeks every summer with additional programming throughout the year. The award-winning program fights against the educational achievement gap. On average, Horizons students gain three months in reading and math skills by the end of the summer. With the help of nationally recognized teachers, volunteers and staff, Horizons provides more than 200 hours of educational and support services, recreation and swimming lessons, field trips, transportation and nutritious meals. The National Summer Learning Association has named Horizons as one of the best summer learning programs in America.
“Since this event has been renamed as a tribute to Albert Martin, the response has been incredible,” said Paul Campanella, The Rumson Country Day School Athletics Director and Tournament Coordinator. “Each year there are more participants and they play hard with team spirit and good sportsmanship. I hope more people will come out this year and continue to build momentum for the Hoops event and for Horizons.”
Horizons welcomes all friends and supporters to this fun-filled tournament. If you are interested in helping the greater community, please contact Horizons Executive Director Lori Hohenleitner at [email protected]. Registration and donation information can be found here.
