Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Shelton’s police chief and two Bridgeport state legislators shot hoops with Mayor Toni Harp outside New Haven City Hall Thursday to announce the sixth annual multi-city “Connecticut Big 3 Ballout” (CB3B) summer tournament, which takes place this year on Church Street on Aug. 3 and 4.
The event will host hundreds of players from across surrounding states. The event, originally called “Hoop It Up”, has grown over the years, from just New Haven players to now teams coming from New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
The teams will be separated by age bracket as they face off in front of City Hall. Three hundred fifty players from age 7 up have formed teams of four to play.
The strip of Church Street between Elm and Chapel will be closed to traffic and transformed into a dozen courts. The event is free to all the players. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on teams from the Green and the steps of City Hall.
Harp said the goal of the tournament is “so that young people can work together, encourage teamwork, and work on social skills.” The mayor said she also hopes that city youth “will learn they are part of a bigger picture. The comparable talent and ambition will help to build comradery between cities.”
Bridgeport State Sen. Dennis Bradley called the tournament an example of “how we make sure our youth are protected, and guided to do the right thing as they grow as people.” Shelton Police Chief Shawn Sequiera added in thanking New Haven officials for their dedication to create “a safe and fun atmosphere.” Sequiera also said “I’m excited to play at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and I will not hold back!”
Paul Bass File Photo
The “Sly 5” on the Church Street court in the 2014 tourney.
“We can’t tell who will emerge victorious, but I’m sure there will be some competition, and maybe even a little trash talking,” Harp said.
Bridgeport State Rep. Chris Rosario obliged. “New Haven is known for your pizza,” he told Harp, “but Bridgeport is known for our basketball.”
The tournament begins with a celebrity tip-off game at 10 Saturday morning. “No one should miss that,” Harp said. Eight officials from New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford will participate, including Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti.
The event’s organizer, city youth services executive administrative assistant Alexandrea Castro, said she is “excited to see cities come together to support our youth.”
Erika Blake and Tomi Veale.
“We’ve been planning this year’s event since the minute last year’s ended,” said youth services staffer Tomi Veale. Veale said the staff was able to reach players from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts through social media and word of mouth.
Youth services chief Jason Bartlett, who is currently out on administrative leave, came up with the idea for the tournament and built up a roster of sponsors and participants over the years.
This year’s event was also supposed to include a youth rap concert in the evening. That concert is no longer part of the program.Mayoral spokesman Laurence Grotheer said the event is “still fluid, not canceled.” He said the city is looking to relocate or reschedule the concert due to logistics and city resources. With large events like the CB3B tournament, he said, the city wants to make sure officials won’t get “spread too thin.”