DA Conley’s Annual Basketball Tourney Hits Court Tomorrow

BOSTON, Feb. 19, 2014—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s annual community basketball tournament returns to the parquet in Dorchester tomorrow, bringing kids and teens from across the area together with the prosecutors and victim advocates who serve their neighborhoods.

The DA’s sixth annual Basketball for Peace tournament kicks off tomorrow at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dorchester, where more than 100 youngsters aged 12 through 15 will spend the day engaged in safe, healthy, physical activity. On hand will be Suffolk prosecutors, members of the DA’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, civilian investigators, and others. Also joining in will be social service providers, non-profit groups, and a contingent of Boston Police led by Superintendent-in-Chief William Gross.

Gross and Conley will directly address the youth during a mid-day speaking program that begins at about 1:00.  Conley, who is the region’s top law enforcement official, and Gross, Boston’s top uniformed police commander, will urge kids to make positive life choices and embrace teamwork and fair play over violence and gang activity.

Young players this year will represent St. Peter’s Teen Center, the Blackstone Community Center, Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, the Quincy Geneva Housing Corporation, the Kroc Center’s Bridging the Gap program, and the Revere Police Athletic League. Partner agencies will include the Boston Celtics, Crystal Rock and Konditor Meister.

Basketball for Peace will be held tomorrow from 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 650 Dudley St. in Dorchester. Media are welcome to attend.

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