Wareham vs. Wareham: Historic hoopers take on reigning champions
Jun 5, 2024
Diego Mello, right, tries to block an alumni Jules Tavares’s 3-point shot. Photos by Brianna King
Will Halleran, center, takes a shot.
Alumni team member Joey Silvia, mid-air, jumped in the air while shooting a basket.
Taylor Carlson, center, goes for a basket while trying to keep his shot from being blocked.
Only two squads of players have won Wareham High School’s three boys basketball championship titles, and on Friday, May 31, they became rivals.
Members of Wareham High School’s 2010 Boys Basketball team took to the court against Wareham's 2023-2024 team, which won the last two MIAA Boys Basketball Division 4 State Championship titles.
Funds raised from the event went to fund Community Youth Empowerment, an organization dedicated to engaging with Wareham youth.
Jowaun Gamble, founder and CEO of Community Youth Empowerment, also played in the game on the 2010 championship team roster. He said that the game was competitive and physical.
After losing the title last year, the 2010 championship team had to prepare for a rematch against their fresh-faced rivals.
“After last year’s loss, we all had to get in shape and prepare for this game,” Gamble said.
Their efforts paid off. The 2010 championship team beat Wareham’s current boys team in a competitive game.
“We may not ever have an experience like this again,” Gamble said. “Where we’re able to have two state championship teams competing against each other, and in relatively close enough distance where they’re still able to compete.”
The foundation hosts workshops for students from middle school through senior year of high school on topics like mental health awareness, college preparation and financial literacy, Gamble said.
According to Gamble, the foundation raised about $2,000 from the game.
Overall, Gamble said that the event was “great,” and that it “just shows how important basketball is to the community.”
