Hoops-4-Haiti basketball fundraiser sees strong turnout

Both Memorial and Alumni gyms played host to the 2024 edition of Thayer’s Hoops-4-Haiti Basketball Tournament, an annual student-led fundraiser which this year raised $841 for the St. Rock Haiti Foundation. 

Roughly 100 players — 12 teams, in all — competed Feb. 29 in spirited games of 3-on-3 basketball. The half-court games were decided by the first team to 11 points or the team leading after a 10-minute period. Teams were gender-inclusive and could have a maximum of two varsity basketball players per squad. Upper School students made up the lion’s share of teams, but one faculty/staff entry represented itself well with an overall 2-2 record. In the end, however, only one team can lift the trophy, and that honor went to the team comprised of Brooke Porter ‘24, Sadie Smith ‘24, Brynn Crozier ‘24, Sundy Zimmerman ‘24, Ella Barry ‘24, Kaden Taylor ‘27, Lenny Tangishaka ‘24, and Sascha Robinson ‘24. A few of those team members did not actually play but served in coaching and/or support roles. 

Isokan, the African American / Black affinity group at Thayer, did much of the volunteer work to get this year’s tournament off the ground. They were led by Annadelle Agbonjiazoe ‘25, who coordinated with the St. Rock Haiti Foundation and handled details such as posters, T-shirts, online entry forms, and entry fee collection. Upper School Spanish teacher Terri Lukens ‘24, ‘27 and Upper School history teacher Jamal Middlebrooks served as faculty advisors for the event. 

All proceeds from the annual fundraiser are donated to the St. Rock Haiti Foundation to support its medical clinic and community initiatives in the town of St. Rock. The tournament was launched in 2013 by Gabe Bresnahan ‘15, Tom Kotopoulos ‘15, and Jack Cadigan ‘15. 

In addition to this recent donation, the St. Rock Haiti Foundation also received a $735 donation thanks to the Upper School’s Winter Wars competition held earlier in February.