The Powder Mill Middle School gym was packed last Saturday for opening day of the Southwick Recreation Center Basketball Opening Day. (Photo submitted)
SOUTHWICK – Last Saturday was a banner day, literally, in Southwick.
The Southwick Recreation center hosted its first ever Basketball Opening and Banner Day with more than 600 people in the crowd, including 350 youth basketball players carrying 35 banners from local businesses that sponsored the basketball program.
Daniel Hess, owner of Southwick Insurance and a member of the Center’s Basketball Committee, said the baseball program opens its season with a parade and they decided to create some excitement this year for the basketball program.
“We filled the gym and had a parade – it was a great day,” said Hess.
Businesses raised $16,000 from the new banner program, which went a long way toward the $21,000 renovation at the center which means new backboards and basketball rims.
Platinum sponsors were Westfield Bank, Southwick Rec Center Alumni and Dayolite Corp. Gold sponsors were Firtion Adams Funeral Home, Me Life, Encompass, Tower Insurance, VCA Southwick Animal Hospital, and Southwick Insurance Agency, as well as several silver, bronze, and friend sponsors.
Hess thanked all the sponsors for helping build and enhance the basketball program.
Several speakers rallied players during the event, but none as much as Dr. Steve Sobel.
The motivational speaker, professor, and Springfield Slam coach brought along one of his players and they demonstrated foul shooting and spoke about basketball and offered a few life lessons.
“The kids were very excited,” said Hess. “We’re planning on making this a tradition.”
Along with the addition of Banner Day, this year’s basketball program includes four high school age teams.
‘This is the first time we’ve extended the program to high school,” said Hess.
Instructional programs are for ages seven and up and historically ended with grade eight. Hess said there was a need to continue the program into high school. Many players don’t make the high school team and are left with no alternatives to keep playing on a basketball team. Hess said this program offers an option to stay in the game, increase skills to make the high school team the following year, and stay active.
