Springfield – The last day of Hoooplandia 2025 started at the East States exhibition on Sunday morning before the selected divisions had the opportunity to compete in the Naismith Basketball Fame Hall.
The showers in the morning changed the action completely inside. But the games remained exciting and rewarding for all participants.
Far and Wide athletes traveled many for the opportunity to compete, but no team traveled beyond the “everyday bridents”.
Three of the team members traveled from Pennsylvania, with the fourth member currently in Maryland. As Neil Wittmer, Jason Negron, Christopher West and Marcus Delesline, they competed in the men’s division of 31 to 39 years.
“(Jason and I have been playing tournaments and leagues like this for more than 20 years,” Wittmer said. “We have a loose goal of trying to play in the Ina Tournament in as many states as we can.
“We went out on the west coast, we went out to Washington, we went up and down the East Coast here … It’s great to go to small villages, get to know different people, see different ways of life.”
Although the “Everyday” bulllars could not bring home a trophy, the experience of competing this weekend was worth the trip.
“It is crazy that can do a great basketball event for the community in terms of gathering different people,” said Desesline. “This is my first time I went out to Massachusetts, it was a good experience. It’s a beautiful and very friendly city, you have a lot of things to do here on top of Hooponia.
“Knowing that it is just starting to start and say that in the coming years I was part of the Foundation, basically watching where it started and then where it will be, it is incredible to say that (I saw) the beginning and I can see where the future is going, which is very bright here … I will definitely return next year, I will probably recommend a couple of friends back home.”
Western mass chaos raises the first trophy of the day
The champions were crowned for select divisions at the East States exhibition at West Springfield on Sunday, June 22, 2025.Kenneth Hands
The first champions of the day were crowned at the Eastern State Exhibition in the 8u finals.
Western Mass Chaos took the title, formed by Jovanni Vazquez, Dallas Henderson, Jack Afonso and Hendrix Starks.
The chaos coach, Reyes Vazquez, kept his teams simple for his team: to have fun and to get into a complete effort.
“Three to three is more than an ISO-BASKETBALL, they really came to work (about) what they know, their skills and leaving it out on the court,” said Vazquez.
A team coeded with three boys and a girl, Henderson enjoyed and competed with his teammates, an experience he will appreciate.
“(Henderson is) a great basketball player,” said Vazquez. “He goes in and is like,” I am a girl, “but he keeps up to date with many guys, so he shows that the boy, the girl, no matter what genre you are: playing the game in the way that should be played, it will be great and you will love you.”
Hooplandia 2025 Champions for backers for boys and girls from 9 to 18 years old were crowned at the Naismith Basketball Fame Hall on Sunday, June 22, 2025.Kenneth Hands
Exciting conclusion to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
For boys and girls’ brackets between the ages of 9 and 18, the championship matches took place in the Naismith Basketball Fama Hall.
It was a memorable experience for all the children involved, competing in an environment and environment like this, with friends and family applauding them and cheering them.
The action concluded with girls from 15 to 18 years old, with the Wmass Panthers who won the title.
Undered by Mya Knowles, Caetlyn Beek, Keia Horne and Kendall Reid, the panthers were locked in a tense and back with travelers.
With the match tied and the last seconds of regulation that were marked, Horne was failed in an attempt at the last second that sent it to the line with the possibility of winning and avoiding overtime.
All he had to do was sink -and he did it only, running the free launch to bring the title home.
“I was scared,” Horne said after the game. “But I’m glad to have done it.
“It’s a lot of fun (competing in Hooplandia), it’s great to get basketball before the season and prepare -I arrive at (play) with my friends, so it’s even better.”