Mirabito Stop DWI Holiday Basketball Tournament Crowns Skills Champions

The Mirabito Stop-DWI Holiday Classic opens play tomorrow at 11:15 AM when the Binghamton Patriots meet the Maine-Endwell Spartans. Binghamton already lays claim to one champion as 6'3" senior Mario Cherry won tonight's "Slam Dunk Championship".  Cherry electrified the crowd with a dazzling dunk to earn the judges' top honor.

Earlier in the evening a pair of sharp-shooting guards from New York Mills High School topped a duo from Long Island Lutheran to win the three-point shooting competition.  Andrew Surprenant and Nick Comenale earned a  66-48 victory with some fine launches to get the decision.

20 games will be played with 16 schools competing.  The tournament continues through Monday evening with the National Division Championship set for a 9 PM tip-off.  Along with plenty of basketball the players get the opportunity to learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving.  Various speakers highlight the event.

Prior to the skills competition the Aldo Rossi Jr. Police Memorial Basketball Game was played with police officers from area departments competing.  The game was played in honor of the late Aldo Rossi Jr. who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while in the line of duty.