The SOMA Basketball Boosters are proud to continue our annual Commitment to Community Scholarships, recognizing graduating seniors who embody that special place where community and basketball meet.
This year, we are proud to recognize Blake Gordon and Ian Bigelow.
Blake, a dedicated three-year SOMA Hoops referee, camp counselor, and tutor, is known for his reliability, strong communication, and willingness to go above and beyond.
Ian, a varsity athlete and active volunteer, has made a lasting impact through his work with Buddy Basketball at the South Mountain YMCA, where his consistency, empathy, and genuine connection have helped build confidence and joy in others.
Congratulations to both recipients, and thank you for the meaningful ways you continue to elevate our community.
Author: 151872pwpadmin
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“Commitment To Community” Senior Scholarships
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SOMA Basketball Partners with MEND NJ
Last weekend, our community came together to support MEND and help fight food insecurity, and the generosity was real.
Bag after bag filled with donations poured into the SOMS gym during SOMA Hoops sessions, packed with everything needed to create soup kits for families who need them most.
Early estimates put us close to 1,000 pounds of food collected. That doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because this community cares.
We’re so proud of what we can do when we decide to make an impact beyond the court!
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Saluting Our Middle School Volunteers
For the month of February, SOMA Hoops invited players from our 7th, 8th, and 9th grade divisions to join us for two very special volunteer opportunities, and man did they step up!
Our “guest players” joined the 1st-grade sessions, role-modeling, engaging the kids in their drills and scrimmages, and giving them a glimpse of what their future selves might look like on the court. Whether they were leading stretches, applying an ice pack, or nailing a shot in a shooting relay, these volunteers made a real impact.
Others took on the essential role of scoreboard operators for our 2nd grade divisions, manning the scoreboards and getting a referee-adjacent experience before they can begin officiating games next year (our refs start at age 14).
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Sunday Skills Clinics
Our first-ever series of Sunday Skills clinics has come to a close, and what a success!
These free clinics are run with the help of Columbia High School boys’ and girls’ players, who volunteer their time and expertise to support younger athletes, and the energy was next-level.
Special thanks to the following CHS players and coaches:- Violet Kessler
- Izzy Cataquet
- Melia Anstatt
- JoJo Yarde
- Myla DeFreitas
- Gabi Irvin
- Chioma Okafor
- Jacqueline Corliss
- Evan Waller
- Leo Kraft
- Matt Synsmir
- Jayvon Rogers
- Liam Ayers
- Zach Alexander
- Nate Kirby
- Murphy Walsman
- Brian Zheng
- Finn Walsh
- Kieran Scanfeld
- Jacob Spruill
- Coach Whitaker
- Coach Breitman.
And to all those kids out there who can’t stop bouncing a basketball at home, we’ll see you at Sunday Skills next year!
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Referee Appreciation
On February 7th & 8th, SOMA Hoops celebrated our 60+ high school referees for Referee Appreciation Weekend.
Our volunteers make this league go ‘round, and referees are essential for fair play and teaching our kids the fundamental rules of the game.
These aren’t strangers: they’re students from our own community. They’re trained, paid, and committed to improving the game while juggling school, responsibilities, and long weekends.
More than 50 referees show up every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to prop up our SOMA Hoops players.
Our refs were showered with praise, pizza, snacks, and swag, and embarrassed with public acknowledgmefnts in front of their parents.
Thank you, refs, we couldn’t play without you! -
Friday Night High School League Doubles In Size
Friday Night Lights is taking on new meaning in SOMA.
The SOMA Hoops high school rec league—self-led and run by the players— has been lighting up the SOMS gym on Friday nights this winter.
The nationwide stats tell us that 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by the age of 13, but we’ve seen our high school division double over the last year, with over 40 kids having fun on the court with friends. Community hoops for the win!
Photo by Max Fraidstern, @photos.bymax