5th Annual Ballin’ for a Cause Lives Up to the Anticipation!!

The 5th Annual Ballin’ for a Cause Charity Basketball Tournament lived up to its anticipation this past weekend! The event kicked off on Thursday, May 31, at Second Cup in downtown Buffalo and continued through Sunday with a variety of special events.

One of the more well-attended events was the “Ballin for a Cause All-Star Event,” which consisted of a Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Game.  Notable names in attendance at the event were Buffalo Bills Naaman Roosevelt, Leodis McKelvin and Domonic Cook, as well as Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams.

The tournament was held at the Buffalo Niagara Court Center on June 2 and 3. Thirty-two teams from all over New York State, plus others from Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio, participated. It was a jam-packed house both days to see Buffalo’s best basketballers compete for an ultimate grand prize of $5,000 and a seven-foot trophy.

The weekend brought awareness to the Sarah Minnie Badger Foster Care Agency and Sports Academy Youth Sports Program. It also honored Samantha Cothran, a former basketball player from the Buffalo area who lost her life in a shooting in May. The Ballin' for a Cause weekend received great reviews from its teams, supporters and spectators.

Winners of the Weekend

(1^st Place ) Public Enemy – Previous Champion in 2011. Brings fourth championship to Rochester

(Runner Up) Yung Mula -- Youngest team to compete in Ballin' for a Cause Championship

(3 Point) Jake Simmons -- Former Buffalo State College basketball player

(Slam Dunk) Elton Frazier -- Former Canisus College basketball player / AB Contern Luxemburg)

Ballin’ For a Cause is considered one of the most anticipated and sought after events in WNY. Found by local marketing and promotional company Crown Entertainment & Promotions. The tournament’s main focus is to bring awareness to local charities and non-profit organizations in WNY. Over the years the event has caught the attention of many politicians, star athletes, supporters and teams from various cities throughout New York State. In plans for the future, the tournament is planning to expand nationally with hosting tournaments beginning in the fall of 2012 in cities such as Baltimore, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Cleveland. For more information visit the their website at www.ballinforacause.com