Author: 151872pwpadmin

  • Referee Appreciation

    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.

    SOMA Hoops Referees and coaches

    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 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

  • Sponsors Hit The Gym For Appreciation Breakfast

    Sponsors Hit The Gym For Appreciation Breakfast

    On Saturday, January 10, an amazing group of SOMA Basketball’s 2025-26 business sponsors and donors gathered in the South Orange Middle School gym for a front row seat to youth basketball at its finest.

    As the 1st-grade girls honed their skills on the court, reps from local SOMA businesses enjoyed breakfast treats from Bakes by Izzy and Three Daughters Baking Co. and java from Village Coffee.

    SOMA Basketball Boosters leadership spoke about how they’re helping build a better community through basketball. Thanks to our sponsors and donor families for all your support!

  • SOMA Basketball Equipment Donation to CHS Basketball

    SOMA Basketball Equipment Donation to CHS Basketball

    SOMA Basketball had the privilege of donating new equipment to the CHS Boys and Girls Basketball Teams.

    This investment reflects how strongly our community believes in these athletes. The funding for the equipment was provided directly by monetary donations made to the SOMA Basketball Boosters from local businesses, families, and sponsors.

    The CHS Athletic Department, coaches, and student-athletes shared their gratitude, noting that the new gear will strengthen practices and support player development all year. 

    Through the partnership between CHS coaches, players, and the SOMA Basketball Boosters, our highest-level youth teams will be better prepared, and they will pay it forward by working with younger athletes in our youth clinics, workouts, and instructional programs.

  • SOMA Basketball Spirit Night at Seton Hall

    SOMA Basketball Spirit Night at Seton Hall

    The 2025 SOMA Basketball Spirit Night at Seton Hall was a tremendous success.

    For the first time, the event was open to all local basketball organizations, bringing our community together in a truly unified way. With more than 500 tickets sold, local youth players had the unforgettable opportunity to take the court with the Lady Pirates and cheer them on in person.

  • Local Knights of Columbus Council to Sponsor Youth Free Throw Championship

    Local Knights of Columbus Council to Sponsor Youth Free Throw Championship

    All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition of the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. 

    The local competition is being run by Regina Pacis Council No. 4066 and will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 in Our Lady of Sorrows School gym located at 172 Academy Street, South Orange, NJ.  Registration is between 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm, contest to follow.  The event will continue till winners are determined in each age category.  No cost to participate.

    WHAT: Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship

    WHO: Girls and Boys aged 9 to 14

    WHEN: Friday, January 9 at 6:30 pm

    WHERE: Our Lady of Sorrows School Gym, 172 Academy Street, South Orange

    The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions.

    International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters in New Haven, CT, based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.

    All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions. Ages of contestants will be determined by their age as of January 1, 2026.

    For any questions, please contact: Council4066@gmail.com.