By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Thierry Ngarambe created his Rochester’s Keepers basketball events as a way to provide a safe environment for area athletes to display their talents. The All-Star Game he organized for Saturday, featuring high school and collegiate players, exceeded his expectations.
“I knew they were gonna play hard,” Ngarambe remarked, “but I didn’t think they were gonna lock down and actually play defense, actually go at each other. … It’s an All-Star Game, so you don’t expect defense, but they really went at each other.”
The game, held at Eastridge High School (Ngarambe’s alma mater) featured an Elam Ending-style format, with an untimed, first-to-100, win-by-two finish. Northstar Christian’s Turner Harris hit the game-winning 3-pointer to win the game for his side, which also included Tamareion Roundtree, Christian Harmon, Myles Blackwood, Ryan Garwood and Mykel White, among others.
“I got kinda tired of seeing the same old All-Star format, with guys just trying to score 200 points, 100 points. I wanted them to compete,” Ngarambe explained. “I was thinking really hard… how can I make these kids play? One of the players’ fathers actually gave me the idea, and I ran with it. It was a success.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser garnered $825 to support the event, which included jerseys paying homage to both the city and late Eastridge student-athlete Nate Corbett.
Paying tribute to Corbett at the high school they each attended added special meaning for Ngarambe, who averaged eight points and seven rebounds as a Lancers senior.
“It was emotional,” Ngarambe acknowledged. “I gave a speech to honor my friend Nate… and I almost came to tears, because just looking around this gym made me remember that this is my home and it was his home.
“To do this here, it means everything to me.”
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