Coming Sunday: Hoops For Dana Tournament

Organizers of the Hoops for Dana 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, a fundraising event in memory of Clarkstown North High School senior Dana Sassano, are inviting the public to coming out Sunday to support the teams playing in the tourney.

Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack said the Town Board and the Clarkstown Police Benevolent Association are teaming up as sponsors of the event to honor Sassano, a New City resident who died in a December 2010 car accident.

“The passing of Dana left our community grieving,” said Gromack.  “We are proud that in this tragedy we can reflect on her life in a positive way, bringing together the community and her friends to raise money for a scholarship fund.”

The tournament at Clarkstown North High School was the idea of Josh Maurer and Danny Heim, eighth-graders at Felix Festa Middle School, who have hosted two "Hoops 4 Hope" basketball tournaments benefiting kids in Africa. They are close friends of Dana Sassano's brother and wanted to have this year's tournament in her honor.

“Our children, and Dana’s classmates, wanted to remember her through an event that would be fun and welcoming,” said Shari Maurer of New City. “The Interact Club at North, along with the Town and PBA, thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the spirit of sportsmanship while ensuring Dana’s life was celebrated.  We are thankful to all of our sponsors and the teams that registered for their support and dedication to Hoops for Dana.”

All proceeds from the Hoops for Dana Basketball Tournament will go to the Friends of Dana Foundation, which was founded in memory of Dana Sassano and will fund a scholarship for a student that exemplifies Dana’s mission of helping those in need.

“Every year, the Clarkstown PBA celebrates the memory of a town resident who has left us too early due to tragedy,” said PBA President David Trois.  “This year, we are proud and committed to remembering Dana through the ‘3 on 3’ basketball tournament and our annual 5K Run in September.”

Each grade division will participate at the following times: 3^rd-5^th grades: 10:30am-1pm; 6^th-8^th grades: 1:30 pm.-4:30 p.m.; 9^th-12^th grades: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

The tournament is one of several events taking place in March and April as a tribute to Dana Sassano.