Alumni Men's Basketball Tournament returns

TICONDEROGA | Alumni Sentinels will return to the polished wooden floors of the Ticonderoga High School gymnasium on Saturday, April 12 for a little friendly competition. After an eight-year absence, the Alumni Association's Men's Basketball Tournament is back, and all Ti alumni are welcome and invited to once again step out onto the court alongside their fellow classmates. "All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Alumni Association's 2025 Alumni Extravaganza the last weekend of this July," explained Bob Dedrick, Alumni Association member. "We have been fundraising for this for four years. Our goal was to hit $25,000, and we're pretty close." The "4-team double elimination" tournament will see teams compete in a bracket where a team is eliminated after losing two matches, with winners progressing to the next round. Dedrick and Vigliotti are hoping for a turnout of at least 30 graduates to participate in the tournament (20 have already confirmed their support), and said players will be placed on teams based on the year they graduated (the method increases the likelihood the athletes play alongside their high school buddies from their alma mater). "Many of these guys don't get to see one another very often," Dedrick observed. "This tournament is known for its camaraderie." Ti Class of 2000 alum Joe Burris will be playing, and is excited to reconnect with his former peers. "I love checking in with them year after year to see who's still playing and who's had to shut down a bit," Burris noted. "The best part of any team is always the behind-the-scenes stuff, the 'you had to be there' stories. Those long bus rides created all sorts of entertainment for us teenagers. We are all just trying to play as long as our bodies will let us." But it matters not if someone was a basketball star their entire high school career or never set foot on the court outside of P.E. class. What matters now is unity, fun, nostalgia, and supporting the cause. There is a suggested player donation of $20, with a donation also suggested from spectators for five dollars. Current students are free. Players will receive a complimentary T-shirt (sponsored by Sylvamo) and designed by 2003 Ti High graduate Jaimee Kuhl of Huddy and Co. A concession stand will be on site the day of the tournament, and a 50/50 raffle will also be held. And perhaps the biggest draw (aside from the players) will be that the spirited little ladies (and several gentlemen) of Peak Force Cheer will be performing for the crowd in a special appearance. "It's a great time to gather the community, families, and friends to come together for an amazing event," said Pam Moser, owner of the Peak Force Cheer program. "Our presence can only enhance the experience of all who attend; pride and school spirit at its very best." Moser encourages tournament spectators to wear purple and white and to bring their voices to cheer along. "All you have to do to register to play is show up the morning of the event," Dedrick said. It can't get much simpler than that. To reiterate, all ages are welcome. The tournament could also use a few good referees. All they need to bring from home is a whistle. "We want students to see this is the kind of thing they can look forward to when they are alumni," Vigliotti said. "We want them to see this is what the future looks like and to feel school pride." Visit ticonderogaalumni.org to add your name and information to the database to receive correspondences. Follow facebook.com/ticonderogaalumniassociation for event updates or Instagram@tialumniassociation.

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Alumni Men's Basketball Tournament returns

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