Basketball Brings Teens Together at The Gateway Family YMCA

Union, NJ, May 23, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Finishing their third year as an Association–wide 14 under Basketball Team, The Gateway Family YMCA brought home the title as the 14U YBA Basketball State Tournament Champions. The basketball team concluded the season at the tournament featuring YMCA teams from around the state, held at the Wyckoff Area YMCA.

The team, coached by Miles Desrouleaux of the Five Points Branch, consisted of teen members from The Gateway Family YMCA branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union. “It’s amazing to see this group from different communities and Y branches, come together as a real team throughout the season,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA.

2016 marked Miles Desrouleaux’s first year in the position of Head Coach, previously working as an Assistant Coach at the Y. Miles brings youth, enthusiasm, many years of experience playing basketball at the college level and strong knowledge of basketball fundamentals. Miles stated, “This was a very special group of teens. Throughout this season the players pushed each other to get better week in and week out. We could never be as good alone as we are together!”

The team had a very up and down year, ending the regular season 6-6. However, the team pulled together and ended the year on a high note, beating one of top seeded teams from Scotch Plains. “That provided the team with a lot of confidence and momentum entering this tournament. For many of these players this was their first organized competitive team and it really is amazing being able to provide them with this experience of winning a championship. That feeling at the final busser will forever be stamped into their memory,” added Thomas Galuppo, Youth and Family Director at The Gateway Family YMCA – Five Points Branch. Every week, over 650 children play basketball at The Gateway Family YMCA.

The Gateway Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community. The Y stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith or incomes. The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies – it strengthens people, families and communities.

For more information The Gateway Family YMCA, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch at elizabethinfo@tgfymca.org 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch at fivepointsinfo@tgfymca.org 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch at rahwayinfo@tgfymca.org 908-388-0057, or the Wellness Center Branch at wellnessinfo@tgfymca.org 908-349-9622.