Purple and white flashes raced across the basketball court as dusk began to set in. Top players were battling it out in the final match of Hot Shot's third annual basketball tournament for SAFE Foundation, Inc.

Hosted at Rachel and Jeff Sutton's home, 120 teenage boys wearing multi-colored T-shirts competed in vigorous games. Joseph Sutton organized the tournament for his peers with the help of David Saad. Joseph said that planning tournaments has been his hobby ever since he coordinated one in 4th grade.

While making one of the junior Topgun tournaments a few years ago, Joseph decided to create a tournament to raise money for SAFE. His father, Jeff, was one of the founders, and Joseph knows how important the organization is. “To me, there is no better feeling than knowing I helped a community organization,” said Joseph.

In addition to arranging the tournament, Joseph ensured that participants would be well fed and energized. A long table held an assortment of food, varying from pasta with pesto, to different types of wraps, avocado and tomato salad, potato salad and other delicacies. A big bucket held bottled water and another table was filled with fresh fruit and, to every kid's delight, candy.

After intense games over the course of the day, the time for the championship game arrived. With dozens of spectators sitting in chairs surrounding the court, players proved their basketball skills. Emerging winners were Edward Arking, Eddie “Little G” Gindi, Michael Sabbagh, Elliot Tebele and Alex Torgueman of the purple team. David Bawabeh, Bobby Cohen, David Gindi, Joe Hamway and Eddie Sitt came in second after putting up a good fight. A three-point shootout was held after the game and the victor was Ralph Cohen.

Players and spectators are already anticipating next summer's Hot Shot tournament. “The great thing about making a charitable basketball tournament is that not only am I raising money, but I am also organizing and participating in the thing I love best in the world,” said Joseph. “And that is the game of basketball.”
________________
Yvonne Harari is a graduate of Brooklyn College and Allegra Franco Sephardic Women’s Teachers College.