Charlestown basketball tourney raises money

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. -- A local basketball tournament was a big slam dunk for the community Saturday.

Young players from across the city came together for the 11th annual tournament at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club.

Besides just playing hoops, the kids helped raise money for a good cause.

Celtics players Dana Barros and Bill Walker offered words of encouragement to the young players.

"Like a lot of you guys and girls, I was in the same situation, went to a lot of programs to figure out what I want to do," said Barros.

The tournament was part of “Unity Weekend” at the Ansin Youth Center in Charlestown, where Boys and Girls Clubs from across Boston got together to make connections beyond their neighborhoods.

"You might want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, whatever ... whatever you want to do, you have to go get it. Because no one is going to give it to you,” Barros said.

Walker agreed.

"Every day, just having to focus, working hard, going back in the gym. Some guys are going out, having parties, I'm in the gym," said Walker.

For the 11th year, the group's basketball tournament raised money for the Youth Service Providers Network to help their efforts to work with Boston's highest-risk young people.

This year they pulled down $80,000 for the cause.

WHDH is a proud sponsor of the Boys and Girls Club and Youth Service Providers Network.

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