Sports
School No. 3 Wins Fort Lee D.A.R.E. Games for First Time
2,500 people attended the cheerleading and basketball playing entertainment over the past few days.
In nine years of competition, it is the first time ever that School No. 3 is the place to be if you want to see the D.A.R.E. Games trophy.
After practicing 22 days in a row for an hour every morning, the hard work paid off for the Tigers in a 34-15 victory over School No. 2 Tuesday evening.
“We had a good balance of boys and girls this year,” said head coach Bob Ciccone. “The kids deserve it.”
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With boys and girls alternating quarters, School 3 led the entire way and never trailed. Ja’Quaye James led the boys and all players with 18 points in the championship.
“I’m glad my team won,” Ja’Quaye said, comparing his group to the 2008 USA “Redeem team” and a similar desire to win. “Me and my team brought the trophy back home.”
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After the final seconds ticked off the clock, the fans from School No. 3 stormed the court as many boys and girls chased down their friends to celebrate.
It was a night filled with memories for all of those involved as the Fort Lee High School gym was packed with mothers, fathers, children, teachers, principals and local officials.
Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich attended the event and talked of the magnitude of a tournament like this.
“It’s a fantastic way of supporting D.A.R.E and keeping kids off drugs,” the mayor said. “You got everything…posters, cheerleaders, teachers dedicating their time, coaches, noisemakers…it’s a great event.”
The D.A.R.E. Games started as an experiment before blossoming into an annual, two-day community event.
“I think this is an outstanding event for all of the schools that participated today,” said Assistant Superintendent of Schools Steven Engravalle. “It makes me proud to be a part of Fort Lee Public Schools…I think there has to be [more events like this].”
Detective Vincent Buda started the event with the kids in mind, still referees the contests and has seen it evolve into its present-day atmosphere.
“It’s great with a lot of people in one place,” Buda said. “We try to do the best we can with keeping it sane.”
The detective, PTA, and other athletic teams helped raise money during the event as well. Some of the funds will be going to the sixth grade school dance while some will be used to help the community in other ways.
With an estimated total of 2,500 people in attendance for the two nights combined, many of the seats were filled and many more were seen standing anywhere they could – along the sidelines, baselines and even out by the exit doors.
Awards were handed out by Detective Buda after the game for the top cheerleading teams, school spirit groups and top athletes.
Before leaving, the championship trophy was handed over to School No. 3 principal Robert Kravitz, who had to think about what to do with it now.
“This whole year has been great because it has all been working together as a team,” Kravitz said as he cradled the trophy. “We’re going to go buy a case for it.”
