The Stop the Violence Basketball Tournament made a comeback this weekend in Riverhead. Last year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions
Six teams from around the region competed in the two-day, double-elimination tournament at the Horton Avenue basketball court. When all was said and done, a team from New York City dominated.
Teams compete for cash prizes funded by Stop the Violence, an organization cofounded in 2006 by Riverhead residents Dwayne Eleazer and Larry Williams to build friendship and understanding in the community in the hope of fighting street violence with hoops.
The event is not a fundraiser. Entry fees pay the cost of professional referees and other expense, and contributing to the prize money. The Stop the Violence Basketball Tournament, now a tax-exempt nonprofit, raises funds through other events throughout the year to help carry the costs.
Members of the Riverhead Town Board attended the tournament Saturday afternoon and presented tournament officials with a certificate acknowledging their efforts.
“The town appreciates all you do with this tournament,” Supervisor Yvette Aguiar told Eleazer.
Council members Catherine Kent and Frank Beyrodt attended the ceremony, as did Riverhead Highway Superintendent George Woodson.
Stop the Violence executive board members JR Robinson, Dion Brown, Frank Brown and Willie Walker worked with Eleazer to coordinate the event, which featured, in addition to nonstop basketball, music by DJ Wade, commentary by emcee Noel Epps, food trucks and a clothing vendor.
There is no charge for admission. Spectators and team members fill the court-side bleachers and a group of dedicated fans set up lawn chairs in the shade along the north end of the court, where they catch all the action every year. There was a good-sized crowd on hand Saturday despite sweltering heat.
The Riverhead Recreation Department helps support the event by supplying team T-shirts and providing the venue.
The next event planned by the Stop the Violence group is a picnic at Stotzky Park. The date hasn’t been set yet, Eleazer said, but it will take place sometimes next month.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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