The Marblehead Youth Basketball Association third- and fourth-grade travel team emerged victorious at the second annual James R. Galante Memorial Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Veterans Middle School.
The tournament featured travel teams from Andover, Saugus, Masconomet, Walpole, Georgetown and Swampscott.
Also shown: Coaches Steve Medeiros, Matt Aranson and Chris Vasiliou; and event sponsor Jim Galante COURTESY PHOTO
Marblehead clinched the championship with three consecutive victories, including hard-fought wins over Saugus (33-26) and Walpole (37-29).
The Headers were led by Head Coach Steve Medeiros and Assistant Coaches Matt Aranson and Chris Vasiliou.
Held in memory of James R. Galante, a member of the Marblehead High School Class of 2022 who passed away in 2022, the tournament serves as both a tribute to his legacy and a celebration of youth basketball.
“While James is rightly celebrated for his remarkable achievements on the football field, he was also a standout basketball player in MYBA,” said Bob Lemmond, MYBA president. “His dedication to the game, his hustle and his team-first mentality embodied the core values of our league: determination, sportsmanship and teamwork. MYBA is proud to honor James’ legacy through this tournament, celebrating the spirit of competition he so passionately represented.”
The event was funded by the Galante family and MHS 19, a nonprofit that provides scholarships and recruitment assistance for high school athletes pursuing collegiate sports. MHS 19 also funds initiatives to commemorate James’ legacy. Contributions to MHS 19 can be made at mhs19.org.
