Video & Text by Pete Mazzaccaro

While the nation was engrossed in another day of March Madness, a few hundred kids from all over the Chestnut Hill area gathered at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy to compete the second annual Chestnut Hill Community Association Hoops Madness.

The contests allowed children between the ages 6 and 18 to compete in 3 on 3 basketball with the chance to win the pizza party for their team at Cosmo's and other prizes.

The effort was organized by CHCA president Brien Tilley and CHCA staff: Celeste Hardester and Noreen Spota. Tilley, who seemed to be organizing nearly every game during the 5-hour event, said approximately 24 volunteers helped coach games, play music, keep score and sell pizza and water to participants.

In addition to the volunteer effort, Hoops Madness was once again supported by Matt Paul Sports, an athletic training program for kids based in Chestnut Hill.

In the end, the winning teams received certificates and pizza party tickets in an awards ceremony.

Eva Rodgers, George Hohenleitner and Amir Nelson, Team Baylor, won the 6 - 8 age bracket. Savannah Zweiter, Molly Hutton, Taylor Putnam and Delaney Zweiter, Team Duke, won the 13 - 15 age bracket. And in a dramatic final game of the day, Liam Tatlonshari, Cole Meadows and Kevin Keown, Team OSU, won the 9 - 12 age bracket with a clinching 3-point shot by Meadows with only 3 seconds left on the clock.

(cover photo, from left, Amir Nelson, Eva Rodgers and George Hohenleitner)