![CT basketball team receives invitation to compete in international tournament in Poland CT basketball team receives invitation to compete in international tournament in Poland](https://i1.wp.com/s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/rawImage.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Connecticut, on Sunday, March 17, 2024.” loading=”eager” srcset=”https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/80×0.jpg 80w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/160×0.jpg 160w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/240×0.jpg 240w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/360×0.jpg 360w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/480×0.jpg 480w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/640×0.jpg 640w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/720×0.jpg 720w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/960×0.jpg 960w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/1080×0.jpg 1080w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/1440×0.jpg 1440w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/1920×0.jpg 1920w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/2200×0.jpg 2200w, https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/54/53/24824536/3/2400×0.jpg 2400w” sizes=”(min-width: 1200px) 1440px, 100vw” src=”http://www.nhregister.com/gametimect/boys-basketball/article/aspect-ratio:3%20/%202″ class=”x100 y100 opc bgpc ofct bgsct block bg-black mnh0px fill”>
Notre Dame-West Haven head coach Jason Sheavs holds up the championship plaque after the Green Knights defeated St. Bernard in the CIAC Division I men’s basketball championship at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville , Connecticut, on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Notre Dame-West Haven’s Abdou Toure splits the defense of St. Bernard’s Amyre Gray, left, and Tyler Mangual during the first half of the CIAC Division I men’s basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut , on Sunday, March 17, 2024. .
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Notre Dame-West Haven celebrates after defeating St. Bernard in the CIAC Division I men’s basketball championship at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Pete Novak has always had an affinity for basketball and loves spending time in Poland, whether for business or to rest and relax.
Novak brought the two together by creating the European Vertical Hoops Championship, which will feature multiple age groups for boys and girls and will be held in June. He also coordinated to take his high school alma mater to the U17 tournament.
Notre Dame-West Haven will compete in the U17 event June 7-9 in Wroclaw, Poland.
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“My goal, the reason I wanted to do it, was to get an American team to come and get those kids to broaden their horizons,” said Novak, former owner and broker of Charter Oak Financial and a 1974 Notre Dame-West Haven graduate. .He has retired from Charter Oak.
Notre Dame was the only undefeated men’s basketball team during the 2023-24 men’s basketball season. Led by GameTimeCT Player of the Year Abdou Toure, the Green Knights won the CIAC Division I championship in March, the program’s first.
“Many of the boys have never had the experience of being outside the country. They are exposed to a different culture,” Notre Dame coach Jason Shea said. “It’s an opportunity to build camaraderie.”
Shea said he and Novak talked about the tournament company Vertical Hoops, of which Shea is president. He let Novak use the name for his Euro event.
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Novak, a New Haven native, played basketball at Notre Dame and AIC. Since then he has supported philanthropic causes, such as donations to the Central European Institute at Quinnipiac University. Novak was able to raise the funds needed to help make Notre Dame’s trip possible.
Poland will have the most teams competing in the U17 tournament. Lithuania will also be represented. Among the three games Notre Dame will play includes one against WKK Wroclaw.
Before Notre Dame plays any games, the team will visit some historical sites in Wroclaw’s Old Town and also visit Ksiaz Castle in Wałbrzych, said Shea, who is also expected to help lead a coaching clinic for the teams and coaches. youth teams from other divisions that take part in the Euro Cup.
Visiting the historical sites of Poland and creating camaraderie with the international teams was essential for the trip to be approved by the CIAC Control Board. Among the things listed in the CIAC manual under “Goodwill Travel Abroad” was allowing only three games to be played. Players will not miss classes because Notre Dame has ended its school year.
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According to CIAC Executive Director Glenn Lungarini, Notre Dame received Board of Control approval for the trip at the Feb. 15 meeting.
“This will broaden their (the players’) horizons, give them a little bit of a broader view of the world,” Shea said. “We’re going to see different types of players and different types of basketball culture in general. … I can’t imagine this not enriching their lives a little bit and giving them a different perspective on things.”
Opening ceremonies are on Friday. Before the invitational tournament begins, a dunk and three-point shooting contest is scheduled. It ends on June 9 and Notre Dame flies home on June 10.
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U13 and U15 tournaments are also held, both male and female. Novak wants to expand the tournament in the future and perhaps have the opportunity to invite other Connecticut high school teams.
“The good thing about Poland is that it’s safe, clean and a great environment for these kids,” Novak said. “Our style of play is very different from the European style. “It will be good for (Notre Dame) to see a different style of play.”
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