‘Stop the Violence’ basketball tournament, where friendship wins

There are more names today on the back of the T-shirt given to players in Riverhead’s annual Stop the Violence basketball tournament than when the first one was played nine years ago.

But that only deepens the resolve of tournament co-founders Dwayne Eleazer and Larry Williams. They started the two-day, double-elimination tournament in 2007 in the hope of promoting understanding and peace in the Riverhead community — and beyond.

“We’re trying to build friendships and respect,” Eleazer said. “When people get to know each other, they are less likely to engage in violent behavior.”

The ninth annual tournament got underway today at the Osborn Avenue park, with nine teams whose members hail from all over Long Island, NYC and NJ competing for the top prize.

Riverhead’s team, wearing white shirts, won the opening round against Bellport but handed a decisive victory to a team from NYC, in an energetic and hard-fought contest, 73-45.

A large crowd of spectators turned out under sunny skies and temperate weather to enjoy the tournament action, which began today at 9 a.m. and continues until dark. It picks up again tomorrow at about 10 a.m.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter and Councilman Jim Wooten were on hand to present Eleazer and Williams with a proclamation. Councilwoman Jodi Giglio arrived later in the day, as did a pair of Guardian Angels.

DJ Splashh entertained the crowd, along with the quick-witted Noel Epps, emcee, whose comic put-downs of team members had the crowd laughing hard.

Two 50-50 raffles raised funds for the tournament prizes as well as for the DQH Scholarship Fund, set up in memory of Demitri Hampton, the most recent addition to the “In Memory Of” list of names on the back of the tournament T-shirts. Hampton was shot and killed in a late-night home invasion in January 2013. He was just 21 years old.