Youthnet Shoots and Scores
Maplewood and South Orange Inaugural YouthNet Free-throw Competition will be held at Baird
The inaugural YouthNet Invitational Free-throw Basketball Tournament will be held on May 14th, starting at 6:30 pm, at The Baird Center at 5 Mead Street in South Orange, New Jersey, followed by YouthNet's Coffee House, where talented Columbia High School musicians will perform.
Maplewood's and South Orange Village's governing body members will compete with a helping hand from YouthNet's teen Youth Advisory Board members in a tournament to raise funds for YouthNet. YouthNet is a local 501(c)3 dedicated to developing after-school programming and sharing information about enrichment programs for middle and high school students.
"YouthNet is a great organization fueled by dedicated volunteers," said South Orange Village President Douglas Newman, who also chairs YouthNet's Board of Trustees. "Both towns, through YouthNet, have created valuable after-school programming and internships for students in our community. Working diligently, YouthNet's Executive Director, Diane Malloy, has developed tremendous enrichment programming to address students' expressed interests."
Maplewood Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta, Jr., who first brought both communities together to establish YouthNet, added "I am looking forward to participating in YouthNet's inaugural free-throw competition. It will be a great way to demonstrate community spirit, while shining a spotlight on YouthNet's important work for our youth."
The YouthNet Invitational Free-throw Basketball Competition will pit elected officials from each town against each other in a winner-take-all bragging rights match.
According to YouthNet board member and basketball fan Miriam Sumner, "South Orange Trustee Michael Goldberg has been observed doing low-altitude stamina training around the Duck Pond, in the shadow of Tau." Sumner added, "There also are rumors that Maplewood Township Committee member Jerry Ryan, who comes from a family of accomplished basketball players, may be a ringer. So, it's now 'jump ball' as to which team will win this hotly-contested tournament."
Community members are urged to attend and support their home team, enjoy delicious food, and hear great music. Admission is $3 for students, $7 for adults, and $2 for free-throws to support spectators' home teams. Interested sponsors should contact YouthNet, Inc. at youthnet2009@yahoo.com.
