Standing at center court with former Section One champions Lowes Moore and Patrice Wallace-Moore of Mount Vernon, Dr. Jim Bostic of Charles E. Gorton High School, Bill Pleas of Mount Vernon and Stefanie Svoboda of Ossining, County Executive George Latimer welcomed the return of the boys’ and girls’ basketball semi-finals and finals to their rightful home – the iconic Westchester County Center.
This press conference marked the return to the County Center for the finals of this tournament after a two-year hiatus. Section One had hosted the finals at the County Center since 1933.
“For the sake of the players, parents, coaches and fans, this is where this tournament should be,” said Latimer, a Mount Vernon native. “The discipline of learning a sport like basketball, and the lessons learned within it, are lessons learned for the rest of a player’s life. Many of the players who played on this court went on to be successful in all walks of life, thanks to those lessons. Many Westchester communities will be represented at this tournament, and that is what makes this place come alive – the competition and sense of accomplishment.”
Moore, who presented the county executive with a Mount Vernon Knights basketball shirt, said: “Every time I come into the County Center, I get a flashback. I was a 10- or 11-year-old kid who played recreation and dreamed of playing here. I got that chance at Mount Vernon High School when we won championships on ‘The Big Floor.’ For me, this is a family thing – my wife and daughters won championships here. This is our home away from home.”
Bostic added: “Coming back here to the County Center is such an incredible experience. Growing up in the City of Yonkers, playing basketball all my life, we played ball in Yonkers but never left our city. The thought of being a high school player and playing at the County Center was like dying and going to heaven. I salute Section One, the Parks Department and, of course, the county executive for making this a reality for these young folks. Fifty years later, I can still remember the night I won a championship here.”
Wallace-Moore said: “I am excited to be able to support all of the teams coming back here to the County Center. There is nothing better than being here on this court. This is Westchester’s Madison Square Garden and we are looking forward to seeing more great things.”
Pleas, who Latimer watched play in high school, said: “I coach kids at the Mount Vernon Boys’ and Girls’ Club – and I always tell them, ‘If you don’t limit yourself you can play (at the County Center one day)’ and I hope to motivate them to get to this place like I was able to.”
Svoboda said: “I remember in 2014, with no seniors on our team, one of the best feelings ever winning on this court when no one thought we would. The last four years I played at Pace University, and watched the Section One finals there, and it just wasn’t the same as the County Center court. Nothing beats winning ‘The Gold Ball’ on this court.”
Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “This is the Mecca for basketball in Westchester County. From day one, before we even came into office, the county executive was focused on resolving the problems with Section One here. The importance of the basketball – and memories – that are made here are so important. This is going to be an outstanding tournament for the boys and girls here and we are looking forward to the excitement.”
For those teams that were able to play before most schools closed, they were able to enjoy playing at the County Center, and for next year, we will see a full slate of high school playoff hoops where they should be.
