SPRINGFIELD ― The final day of Hooplandia 2025 began at the Eastern States Exposition on Sunday morning before select divisions got the opportunity to compete at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Early morning showers shifted the action entirely indoors. But the games remained exciting and rewarding for all participants.
Athletes from far and wide traveled many for the opportunity to compete, but no team traveled further than the ‘Everyday Ballers’.
Three of the team members traveled from Pennsylvania, with the fourth member currently residing in Maryland. Comprised of Neil Wittmer, Jason Negron, Christopher West and Marcus Delesline, they competed in the mens ages 31-39 division.
“(Jason and I have) been playing in tournaments and leagues like this for probably over 20 years,” Wittmer said. “We have a loose goal of trying to play ina tournament in as many states as we can.
“We’ve gone out to the West Coast, we’ve gone out to Washington, we’ve gone up and down the East Coast here… it’s cool to go to small towns, meet different people, see different ways of life.”
While the ‘Everyday Ballers’ were not able to bring home a trophy, the experience of competing this weekend was certainly worth the journey.
“It’s a crazy thing what a big basketball event can do for the community in terms of bringing different people together,” Desesline said. “This is my first time being out to Massachusetts, it was a good experience. It’s a beautiful city and very friendly, you have a lot of things to do out here on top of now Hooplandia.
“Knowing that it’s just starting up and saying that for years to come that I was part of the foundation, basically seeing where it started and then where its going to be at, it’s amazing to say that I (saw) the beginning and can see where the future is going, which is very bright here… I will definitely be returning next year, I’ll probably be recommending to a couple of friends back home.”
Western Mass Chaos lifts first trophy of the day
Champions were crowned for select divisions at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on Sunday, June 22, 2025.Kenneth Manoj
The first champions of the day were crowned at the Eastern State Exposition in the 8U bracket finals.
Western Mass Chaos took home the title, comprising of Jovanni Vazquez, Dallas Henderson, Jack Afonso and Hendrix Starks.
Chaos coach Reyes Vazquez kept his goals simple for his team — have fun and putting in a full-effort.
“Three-on-three is more of an iso-basketball, they really got to work (on) what they know, their skills and leaving it out on the court,” Vazquez said.
A co-ed team with three boys and one girl, Henderson got to enjoy and compete with her peers, an experience she will cherish.
“(Henderson is) a great basketball player,” Vazquez said. “She’s coming in and she’s like, ‘I’m just a girl’, but she’s keeping up with a lot of boys, so it shows that boy, girl, no matter what gender you are — play the game the way it should be played, you’ll be great and love it.”
Hooplandia 2025 champions for boys and girls brackets ages 9-18 were crowned at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 22, 2025.Kenneth Manoj
Thrilling conclusion at Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
For the boys and girls brackets between ages 9-18, the championship games took place at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
It was a memorable experience for all kids involved, competing in such an atmosphere and environment, with friends and family clapping and cheering them on.
The action concluded with the girls ages 15-18 division, with the WMass Panthers clinching the title.
Comprised of Mya Knowles, Caetlyn Beek, Keia Horne and Kendall Reid, the Panthers were locked in a tense, back-and-forth affair with the N.A. Travelers.
With the game tied and the final seconds of regulation ticking away, Horne was fouled on a last-second shot attempt that sent her to the line with the chance to win and avoid overtime.
All she had to do was sink one shot — and she did just that, draining the free throw to take home the title.
“I was scared,” Horne said after the game. “But I’m happy I made it.
“It’s really fun (competing in Hooplandia), it’s just great to getmore basketball before the season and get ready. I get to (play) with my friends, so it’s even better.”
