by Katie Vasquez
Dozens of 8th graders hitting the hard wood at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy on March 14. Their schools cheered from the sidelines as the teams competed in their own version of March Madness.
Blessed Sacrament teacher Nicole Ramkissoon wanted to bring the college tournament to the middle schools so kids can have fun during a stressful time.
“State tests are coming up. Graduation is coming up, and I made it a senior event because I thought it would be nice for our eighth graders to have one last hurrah before they graduate. Something to remember,” said Ramkissoon.
Just like the official tournament, the players got their heads in the game.
Matthew Stalzer, an 8th grader at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy, told Currents News that he enjoyed playing in the tournament because of “just how fast paced it is. How intense it is.”
Eight schools battled it out besides Blessed Sacrament: St. Clare, St. Rose of Lima, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Bartholomew, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Mercy.
“I’m looking forward to it, you know playing with my teammates and giving us chemistry, making a better bond with my classmates,” Blake Dunbar, an 8th grader at St. Clare Catholic Academy, told Currents News before he hit the court.
Students are aiming for more than just a slam dunk, also forging friendships and fostering teamwork that goes beyond the tournament.
“It’s actually good because we all get to embrace how much fun we have in these sports, and that we get to spend time together with each and every other school,” Michael Camacho, an 8th grader at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, explained.
By the end, Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy took home the gold.
One of the team’s star players, Antonio Menzis, said he was impressed by the sportsmanship shown by all: “There’s always a reward, it’s always hard work. Everybody did a good job.”
Blessed Sacrament is considering expanding their March Madness, inviting more schools and even spreading the tournament over multiple days in the future.