When cops hit the court: NYPD takes on Staten Island kids in charity showdown (63 photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The “Boys in Blue” stepped onto the home court of Pirate Nation Tuesday afternoon, where Tottenville High School’s signature purple set the stage for a spirited and meaningful showdown.

Dozens of students, faculty and supporters filled the gymnasium of the Huguenot school for the first ever charity basketball game between NYPD officers and Tottenville High School students.

The event — equal parts competition and community connection — raised funds for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, with proceeds from ticket sales and concessions going to the cause.

The game was organized by Assistant Principal Hagar Abuella and teacher Anthony Acevedo, whose efforts brought together law enforcement and students in a way that emphasized unity, service and mutual respect.

Officers representing the NYPD’s 120th, 121st and 123rd precincts, along with Patrol Borough Staten Island, suited up for the game. They faced a determined group of students, not varsity players, who had volunteered to defend their school’s home court.

On the sidelines, Detective Eric Miller and Police Officer Nick Scalzo coached the NYPD squad, while Tottenville’s team was led by teacher Anthony Dobbs. Both benches were lively throughout the game, with coaches urging their players on in what quickly became a competitive, back-and-forth contest.

Miller said officers were at first relieved to hear that they weren’t facing Tottenville’s varsity squad as they’d feared. But the game proved to be a challenge nonetheless, he said.

“We were a little wary at first — we thought we might be going up against the varsity team,” Miller said. “But the group of students who came out, they could really play. They definitely gave us a challenge the whole game.”

From the opening tip, the energy in the gym was electric. The students kept pace with the cops basket-for-basket, through four quarters of play, drawing loud cheers from classmates with fast breaks, clutch shots and several slam dunks that brought the crowd to its feet.

The NYPD team countered with experience and physicality, keeping the pressure on in a game that never felt out of reach for either side.

In the end, the officers enforced a bit of scoreboard justice, pulling away late to secure a 79-66 victory over the students.

But the final score told only part of the story. By the final buzzer, handshakes, smiles and shared moments of respect made it clear that everyone in the gym walked away a winner.

“This was an incredible day as we brought together the NYPD and our students for Tottenville High School’s first-ever friendly basketball game,” Abuella told the Advance/SILive.com.

“The energy, sportsmanship and sense of community in the gym were truly unmatched,’’ she said. ”I am especially proud to share that we raised over $1,200, with $1,000 donated to Tunnel to Towers.

Even more exciting, Abuella said, was the fact that the school has partnered with the NYPD to make this an annual event. “This is what community looks like,” she said.

Team Rosters

Tottenville:

Steph Garcia

Eddie Zhang

Anthony Cota

Robert Cavuoti

Raymond Markis

Matthew Marcotte

Martin Chase

Zoe Clements

Kiersten Ketelsen

Gaser Youssef

Amir Alimi

Blair Tadros

Patrick Skalny

Russell Stamer

Araya Lichtman

Julianna Angelone

Kayla Souleidis

Russel Stamer

Mark Pozdnyakov

Danny Garcia

Dominick Mennella

NYPD: