The 2nd Annual Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament held on March 21 & 22, 2009 at the Ledyard Middle School, in Gales Ferry, CT was a great success. On the first day of the tournament, all eight team’s played hard to put themselves in a position for the finals on Sunday.

In the first game of the finals, the hard playing team of East Haddam, CT defeated the fast running Black Knights of Ledyard, CT for 7^th place. In the battle for 5^th place, the Hawks of Hebron, CT, defeated the tough shooting team from Colchester, CT. A young and up coming team from Killingly, CT played their heart’s out, but the 2008 Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Champion,  Shinnecock Braves, of Southampton, NY took home 3^rd place. In the final game of the 2009 Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal youth team of Mashpee, MA up set the Spirit Lake Warriors, of Ledyard, CT in a close and exciting game for the Championship.

Each and every one of the youth players and their coaches, we’re honored as they we’re asked to stand as the Buffalo Dance was preformed for them, to show respect for their team work and hard play. Then a Round Dance was shared to show sportsmanship and friendship to each an every one of the participants of the 2009 Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament.

One of the greatest NBA players’s ever to play the game of Basketball; Mr. Ernie DeGregorio, shared his experience, knowledge and reminded the children the importance of keeping themselves fit to play the game. He also took time to sign autographs and take pictures with the people. Ernie D. led Providence College to a 4th place finish in the 1972 NCAA Finals and was selected to the Associated Press All-American Team. He won the Joe Lapchick Memorial Trophy as the outstanding collegiate player in the U. S. In 1973, he won both the Assist and Free Throw titles, as well as being named the NBA Rookie of the Year. Ernie D. has a special way of making everyone who meets him feel respected, warm and most of all he really cares about you as a person. Thank you my friend for your kind heart and beautiful words for the children.

This year’s “2^nd Annual Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament” to help promote Team Work, Good Health, Diabetes Awareness and Indigenous Cultural Educational Presentations has been made possible by the tax deductible donations from the following generous companies and communities:

2007-2008 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS BOSTON CELTICS
FRANK ZAINO & ASSOCIATES, INC.
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY
THE ROCK GROUP
RED BEAR PRODUCTIONS

What these companies have done will be with the children for the rest of their lives, they’ll be able to share their memories with friends and family members, for many years to come.

Spirit Lake Inc. the proud host of the Annual Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament would like to thank all of the companies, communities and hard working volunteer’s for their help. We are hoping to add a girls division for next year’s event. See you all next year, for the 3^rd Annual Kenny Merrick Sr. Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament.