South Carolina DJJ hosts ‘Jump Shots for Justice’ event in Columbia
The South Carolina DJJ hosted its second Jump Shots for Justice event, offering sports and mentorship as positive youth alternatives. COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held its second annual Jump Shots for Justice event Friday, bringing together law enforcement, community leaders, and families in an effort to offer youth […]
The South Carolina DJJ hosted its second Jump Shots for Justice event, offering sports and mentorship as positive youth alternatives.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held its second annual Jump Shots for Justice event Friday, bringing together law enforcement, community leaders, and families in an effort to offer youth positive alternatives through sports and mentorship.
The event, held in Columbia, featured a basketball tournament as its centerpiece, but kids also participated in kickball, STEM activities, face painting and more. Food trucks were on-site, and all activities were free to the public.
Rhonda Holman, Deputy Director at DJJ, stressed the importance of outreach programs like Jump Shots for Justice.
“To ensure that the message is getting out there, that our youth are hearing and seeing that you don’t have to take the alternate route to get to DJJ, but we’re out here in the community and we’re providing those services to prevent that pipeline,” Holman said.
The basketball tournament gave participating teams a chance to compete for a trophy and bragging rights.
“When you learn about it, start stretching those quads, stretching those hammies, because it hurts to run. I’m a little bit too old to be running out here with these dudes these days because they got a lot of young fellas, but in all seriousness, get out here, show your support, and be a part of these initiatives,” Byron Gipson, the Fifth Circuit Solicitor said.
DJJ officials say they plan to continue hosting Jump Shots for Justice in the future. Those interested in getting involved can find more information at the SC DJJ website.
Pictured, in front, from left, are: Jack Lerow, Theo Monacelli, Gunnar Webster, John Lerow, Carter Collins and bat boy Landon Johnson. In the middle are: Wesley Long, Bentley Frank, Easton Johnson, Chase Beichner, Karson Welka, Bo Morabito and Cullen Webster. In back are: coaches Tyler Lerow, Todd Welka, B.J. Monacelli, Ben Long and Scott Johnson. […]
Pictured, in front, from left, are: Jack Lerow, Theo Monacelli, Gunnar Webster, John Lerow, Carter Collins and bat boy Landon Johnson. In the middle are: Wesley Long, Bentley Frank, Easton Johnson, Chase Beichner, Karson Welka, Bo Morabito and Cullen Webster. In back are: coaches Tyler Lerow, Todd Welka, B.J. Monacelli, Ben Long and Scott Johnson. Cayden Gnadzinski was absent.
Submitted photo
The Cassadaga Cubs and Cassadaga Reds had an epic clash in the recent Valley League Minors Division championship game.
The Cubs won the game 5-4 with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Reds got on the board first in the top of the third inning with an RBI single from Aiden Rasmussen, who had his first hit of the season.
The Cubs answered back in the bottom of the third with three runs of their own featuring a single by Carter Collins, an RBI double by Bentley Frank and an RBI triple by Jack Lerow.
The Cubs were able to put another run on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with a Lerow RBI double.
The Reds came storming back in the top of the fifth with three runs featuring an RBI single from Colton Johnson and a two-run double by Nick Conti.
With the score still tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Frank got on base with a single. Then, with two outs and a runner on first, Lerow hit a walk-off RBI triple to win the game for the Cubs.
The game featured some dominant pitching on both sides. Johnson of the Reds pitched a stellar three-plus innings on the mound and logged seven strikeouts. Conti finished out the game strong for the Reds with nine strikeouts of his own.
Karson Welka started the game on the mound for the Cubs and also had a fantastic three-plus innings with seven strikeouts. Chase Beichner closed out the game for the Cubs with seven strikeouts, including a three-up, three-down inning in the top of the sixth.
For the Reds, Conti doubled twice and drove in two runs, Johnson singled and drove in a run, Rasmussen singled and drove in a run, Trenton Farnsworth had a putout at first base, and Korbin Klepfer made multiple nice plays to keep hard-hits balls in the infield.
For the Cubs, Frank had two hits, including a double, and an RBI; Lerow went 4 for 4 with a double, two triples, three RBIs and the game-winning hit; Cullen Webster and Collins had singles; Theo Monacelli had a putout at second base; and Beichner had a putout on the mound.
Lerow provided outstanding backup on a throw to third on an attempted steal. When the runner tried to advance, Lerow threw the ball to Frank, the catcher, who tagged the runner out at home to save a run.
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Nonprofit brings teens and incarcerated people together in Queens — Queens Daily Eagle
This most recent game at Queensboro, three judges attended, including Justice Michelle Johnson, the administrative judge for the Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Johnson had taken a particular interest in the Flames program outside the game as well, as she handed out hundreds of awards at the 51st Annual Flames Youth Awards Night last March. […]
This most recent game at Queensboro, three judges attended, including Justice Michelle Johnson, the administrative judge for the Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Johnson had taken a particular interest in the Flames program outside the game as well, as she handed out hundreds of awards at the 51st Annual Flames Youth Awards Night last March.
“Sports generally serves as a bridge between people of different backgrounds and communities,” Johnson said. “The Flames program is an inspirational bridge between young men with the hope of being released back into the community upon completion of their sentence of incarceration; and young men in the community who see, firsthand, the potential consequences of poor decisions.”
Other judges who observed the game included Supreme Court Justices Ira H. Margulis and Karen Gopee.
“The tour and game at Queensboro Correctional Facility was eye opening,” Maruglis said. “Both teams played to the best of their abilities and after a few minutes I felt like I was courtside at an NBA game. Although there was a lot of pushing and shoving as in a professional game, no one on either team lost their cool or became hostile. I believe it was a fun evening for all.”
“The energy and enthusiasm of both teams was palatable, ending with shared pizza and lifetime memories,” Gopee said. “Programs such as these, that engage our youth, bridge the gap between our youth and the police, while also helping to divert them from bad choices and create support for those who are returning to our community after a period of incarceration, are truly invaluable.”
For Papa and the players, the partnership with judges and UCS leadership marks a significant milestone for the program. Arranging these games is a long and difficult process, requiring coordination between the players, their families, the facility, the NYPD and DOCCS.
“DOCCS is grateful for its continued partnership with the Flames Youth Basketball Program, which helps mentor youth by sharing incarcerated individuals’ real-life experiences and the consequences of one’s choices,” NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello said. “The value of the games played in our facilities is reflected in the positive feedback from both staff and the incarcerated population. I look forward to our continued work with Flames and supporting youth as they navigate their path through adulthood.”
One of the biggest hurdles is convincing the kids and their families to go.
At the end of every year, Papa picks about 20 players of the 400 he coaches for a chance to be a part of the “Elite Team,” who play at the correctional facilities. He usually picks older kids who he thinks have the right disposition to handle going into a prison.
Many teens are nervous at the prospect, and oftentimes their parents don’t feel comfortable with the idea. Papa said it’s not uncommon for as much as half of selected players to back out at some point during the process.
But those that do go come away learning a lot about the world and themselves, and walk away with a better appreciation of the inmates, the judges and the police. It usually begins as soon as the game starts.
“They approach all these games with a certain amount of apprehension, but very quickly they throw themselves into the game,” Papa told the Eagle. “It just becomes any other game in the park.”
In Queensboro, where inmates often only have a year to go before being released, the talks between players and incarcerated people after the game are often a lot more lighthearted compared to when Flames play at other upstate correctional facilities. Unlike other prisoners who have years, if not decades left in their sentence, inmates at Queensboro can see the light at the end of the tunnel and playing a game with the teens represents one more step to a closer life beyond bars.
Papa said that no matter how much fear is there initially, the teens leave smiling.
“There’s no question these kids feel better about themselves,” Papa said. “It feels great.”
MLB All-Star Weekend descends on hotbed of Black baseball talent — Andscape
Gresham Park comes alive as the sun sets over southeast Atlanta. Smoke rises from barbecue grills, Kendrick Lamar and SZA pulse through speakers, and the baseball fields are packed with Black youth chasing fly balls, hitting line drives and laughing under the lights. Scenes like this are almost mythical in most American cities, where Black […]
Gresham Park comes alive as the sun sets over southeast Atlanta. Smoke rises from barbecue grills, Kendrick Lamar and SZA pulse through speakers, and the baseball fields are packed with Black youth chasing fly balls, hitting line drives and laughing under the lights.
Scenes like this are almost mythical in most American cities, where Black children have all but vanished from baseball fields. But here in Atlanta, the game is not only alive, it’s thriving and vibrant.
This didn’t happen by chance. For at least the past two decades, the Atlanta area has become a blueprint for cultivating Black baseball talent — a city where grassroots organizers, former pros and community leaders have built a thriving ecosystem of opportunity.
While other cities watched their Black baseball programs shrink, Atlanta doubled down — investing in coaching, showcasing players on social media, and creating a culture where young Black athletes don’t have to choose between loving the game and seeing a future in it.
Often viewed as a sport in decline among Black youth, that isn’t the case in the Atlanta area due to its travel ball powerhouses, community-based programs and development of the next wave of Black Major League Baseball talent that includes the likes of C.J. Abrams (Washington Nationals), Kristian Campbell (Boston Red Sox), Lawrence Butler (Athletics) and Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves).
These standouts lead a quiet renaissance of sorts by representing a new chapter for Black athletes in a sport that has long struggled with diversity.
And Atlanta, the site of this week’s MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park, is leading the way.
Marquis Grissom of the Atlanta Braves at the plate during a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1995.
Jonathan Daniel / Stringer
While 6.2% of Black players appeared on MLB Opening Day rosters this season, a rise from 6% last season, 14 Black Atlanta-area natives were on 40-man active rosters. This area in Georgia has been so lush with talent that, since 2010, eight top-10 MLB draft picks have been Black players from Atlanta. In the 2022 draft, three Black Atlantans were chosen in the first round: Druw Jones (second overall), Kumar Rocker (third) and Termarr Johnson (fourth).
Atlanta’s baseball push in the Black community was intentional for former major leaguers like Marquis Grissom, who founded the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association (MGBA) during the last three years of his baseball playing career in 2003. His mission is to provide underserved communities with the opportunity to play in a competitive baseball league.
He sponsors travel baseball teams and provides mentoring and college placement assistance. Grissom said more than 40 players in MLB or the minor leagues have come through his program, and nearly 600 have received college scholarships.
Grissom initially started his program to help his son, Marquis Grissom Jr., who is a pitcher in the Washington Nationals’ organization. But Grissom said he realized most Black kids were missing out on proper development.
“I reverted back to recreation ball because we don’t want to leave any kid out,” said Grissom, who played 18 MLB seasons and won a 1995 World Series title with the Atlanta Braves. “We have the beginner, intermediate and advanced level from ages 5 through 12. And then we have 13 to 18 in the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program and different age groups for travel ball. We’re just trying to keep every kid engaged into the game.”
Atlanta native and Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II joined Grissom’s program when he was 14 and played in MGBA throughout high school. He remains involved in the offseason, working out with other youth in the program along with other major leaguers like Butler.
“I was attracted to [MGBA] because Grissom was really successful in the majors at the highest level,” Harris II said. “Seeing someone that looks like you from the same area, who had a lot of success in a sport you love, helps give you the drive that you kind of need.”
Former Chicago Cubs outfielder CJ Stewart’s program has also provided a need with the creation of his organization in 2007. Co-founded by Stewart’s wife, Kelli, LEAD (Launch, Expose, Advise and Direct) is a nonprofit that uses baseball as a vehicle to build life skills for boys in grades 3-12.
Starting last spring, the Atlanta Braves and LEAD launched a spring league in Atlanta Public Schools for elementary and middle school students. The program focuses on social-emotional learning by tracking growth through Hello Insight, a program that uses outcomes in social and emotional learning to help evaluate youth. And LEAD helped establish a pathway from recreational baseball to travel ball for Black youth who lack financial resources.
“We are a sports-based youth development organization,” Stewart said. “Our intentional use of sports is to help children make a healthy transition into adulthood.”
Since 2002, Mentoring Viable Prospects (MVP) has focused on providing opportunities and exposure for Black youth pursuing a college education by connecting them with college coaches and professional scouts. The nonprofit organization provides academic support and mentorship. According to MVP’s website, more than 500 players have earned college scholarships since its founding.
“Black kids have always played baseball in little leagues and our parks are always overflowing. We tend to lose them at the middle school level to what some call the more glamorous sports. But many of us see baseball as a glamour sport and [Atlanta] has developed into the right place for [Black] players to develop and to be seen.”
– Greg Goodwin, executive director of athletics for Atlanta Public Schools
The organization was founded by Greg Goodwin, who won 70% of his games as head baseball coach at Redan High School in Stone Mountain. He was a four-time region coach of the year and in 2013 guided Redan to a baseball state title — Georgia’s first predominantly Black high school to achieve this feat.
Goodwin, now the executive director of athletics for Atlanta Public Schools, said he started MVP to squash the perception that Black kids weren’t playing baseball.
“We knew that was a lie,” Goodwin said. “Black kids have always played baseball in Little League and our parks are always overflowing. We tend to lose them at the middle school level to what some call the more glamorous sports. But many of us see baseball as a glamour sport and [Atlanta] has developed into the right place for [Black] players to develop and to be seen.”
Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler runs to first base against the San Francisco Giants at Sutter Health Park on July 6 in Sacramento.
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Atlanta area has also produced several elite Black baseball players because of premier travel programs like East Cobb Baseball and Team Elite Baseball. Former major leaguer Brandon Phillips and 2022 first-round pick Johnson (currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization) are alums of East Cobb. Team Elite’s MLB alumni include former Detroit Tigers outfielder Christin Stewart and current St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker.
The competition and exposure that travel baseball provides is so important that many Black families move to the Atlanta area partly for that reason. Campbell’s family moved from Tennessee to Marietta, Georgia, for East Cobb Baseball.
“For years, we were driving every weekend from Tennessee to Georgia so I could compete at the highest level,” Campbell said. “I benefited from the move because I was constantly close to the better players and the good coaching of East Cobb. Constantly being around that environment helped me get better.”
Atlanta’s success certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially with the high volume of Black players attending college to play baseball and the major league players who have been produced. Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown, the lone Black GM in MLB, was vice president of scouting for the Braves from 2019-2022.
Brown credits the success of Atlanta’s youth programs and events like the Hank Aaron Invitational for keeping players interested in baseball.
“What’s weird is that in most cities, African American kids grow up playing football and baseball, but in Atlanta the African American kids are entrenched in baseball,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of baseball going on in that area, so you have these young players growing up getting a chance to show what they can do at an early age, and they continue to develop.”
With Atlanta emerging as a model for developing Black baseball talent and fostering a vibrant culture around the game, other cities now have a clear blueprint to follow. Resources like social media and platforms such as Black Baseball Media, Black Baseball Mixtape, the Jerry Manuel Foundation, and MLB’s The Players Alliance offer valuable insights into how to replicate Atlanta’s success.
But, according to Grissom, duplicating Atlanta’s approach requires more than just information — it demands a commitment to priorities.
“Nowadays, everybody wants to play game after game after game instead of practicing,” Grissom said. “You’ve got travel teams where guys just show up for the games. But the number one thing is development. If you’re fundamentally sound and constantly work on your fundamentals, that’s what creates greatness.”
Branson Wright is a filmmaker and freelance multimedia sports reporter.
Summer Nights Hardwood Offers Open-Play Basketball for West Hartford Youth – We-Ha
On The Court Basketball Academy is partnering with West Hartford Leisure Services to provide Summer Nights Hardwood, an open-play basketball opportunity for boys and girls aged 8-14. Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance By Bridget Bronsdon Summer Nights Hardwood, held over the next five Tuesdays in the Conard High School gymnasium, offers open-play […]
On The Court Basketball Academy is partnering with West Hartford Leisure Services to provide Summer Nights Hardwood, an open-play basketball opportunity for boys and girls aged 8-14.
Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance
By Bridget Bronsdon
Summer Nights Hardwood, held over the next five Tuesdays in the Conard High School gymnasium, offers open-play basketball for boys and girls aged 8-14. The program has been transformed from the Blacktop Basketball Initiative, an open-play basketball program on Duffy Elementary School’s outside courts.
Mark Walker with the Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
Mark Walker, president and basketball trainer at On The Court, spearheads the Summer Nights Hardwood program which currently has over 40 girls and 20 boys enrolled. The young athletes have 90 minutes of play and are guided by local high school and college students.
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
After open-play, the evening concludes with a “shoutout,” where players will shout out their peers for recognition and congratulations on a job well done.
“This is a really great experience because I get to meet new people and I get to play basketball which is a sport that I really like,” said Sedgwick Middle School student, Nora Tarbonneau.
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
On The Court is in its third year as a nonprofit organization, providing basketball training for youth aged 5-19. The organization includes instruction on basic basketball fundamentals, shooting, ball handling, dribbling, open-play and private and small group training. A portion of the proceeds collected by On The Court go to the town’s youth basketball programs, Conard and Hall basketball programs, and local civic organizations.
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
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Albuquerque To Host 2025 WIAWIS USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development Target Nationals & US Open
VISIT ABQ News: ALBUQUERQUE — More than 850 of the nation’s top young archers, along with their families and coaches, are aiming high as they gather in Albuquerque for the 2025 WIAWIS USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Target Nationals and JOAD U.S. Open. This elite youth tournament will take place from July 16-20 […]
ALBUQUERQUE — More than 850 of the nation’s top young archers, along with their families and coaches, are aiming high as they gather in Albuquerque for the 2025 WIAWIS USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Target Nationals and JOAD U.S. Open. This elite youth tournament will take place from July 16-20 at Balloon Fiesta Park.
For the second consecutive year, Albuquerque is hosting this prestigious USA Archery event, reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for sports tourism. The competition is expected to bring over 2,700 visitors and contribute approximately $2.1 million in direct spending to the local economy.
The JOAD Target Nationals will be held over two days, followed by the JOAD U.S. Open – a head-to-head elimination format for the top 64 archers in each category. Medals will be awarded for both individual and team events, concluding with a team round on Sunday.
“Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission are proud to once again welcome USA Archery athletes from across the U.S. and around the globe,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “This event highlights our city’s commitment to youth sports and showcases the world-class facilities and hospitality that Albuquerque offers.”
Last year’s tournament in Albuquerque saw 17 new national records set. This year, the event expands to include international competitors from Canada, Chinese Taipei, Peru and Singapore, adding a global flair to the five-day competition.
The tournament features barebow, recurve and compound disciplines for youth archers ages 8 to 20. All events are free and open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs for comfortable viewing.
Innovative field preparation will again be made possible using Turf Tank, the autonomous, GPS-guided robot that paints precise competition lines at Balloon Fiesta Park—a testament to the City of Albuquerque’s investment in cutting-edge sports infrastructure.
Those interested in volunteering to support this year’s event can emailAbeyta@VisitABQ.org.
For schedules and more information, visitusarchery.org.
About Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission
Visit Albuquerque is an accredited destination marketing organization (DMO), and a private, not-for-profit organization [501(c)(6)]. The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a convention and visitor destination, as well as a premier sports destination through the efforts of the Albuquerque Sports Commission (a division of Visit Albuquerque). For more information, go to www.VisitABQ.org.
PlayAnnapolis Seeks Executive Director to Lead Citywide Youth Sports Movement
With just one week remaining to apply, PlayAnnapolis is searching for a new Executive Director to help lead a growing movement aimed at ensuring year-round access to sports and recreation for all youth in Annapolis—regardless of income or zip code. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, July 15. PlayAnnapolis unites families, nonprofits, educators, government agencies, […]
With just one week remaining to apply, PlayAnnapolis is searching for a new Executive Director to help lead a growing movement aimed at ensuring year-round access to sports and recreation for all youth in Annapolis—regardless of income or zip code. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, July 15.
PlayAnnapolis unites families, nonprofits, educators, government agencies, and community leaders through collective action to expand opportunities for young people. The incoming Executive Director will play a key role in implementing the organization’s strategic plan—known as “The Playbook”—while working closely with the board, partners, and volunteer-led Coalition Crew to align resources and bring bold ideas to life.
This part-time, hybrid position offers a salary between $50,000 and $70,000, depending on experience. The role requires up to 30 hours per week and includes responsibilities in strategic leadership, partnership development, fundraising, advocacy, communications, and program management. The Executive Director will also oversee scholarships, interscholastic sports programs, and community research efforts while representing the organization at public events and meetings.
Interested applicants should submit a resume or professional bio (no more than two pages) and a cover letter to [email protected] and [email protected] by July 15, 2025. For more details about the role and the organization, visit playannapolis.org.
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