Job Corps students compete in basketball tourney in Massachusetts, first since pandemic

Provided photos: Members of the Iroquois Job Corps who attended a basketball tournament in North Grafton, Mass. on March 25.

Contributed by Candace Pitts, Iroquois Job Corps Work-Based Learning coordinator

MEDINA – A dozen students from the Iroquois Job Corps Center participated in the first basketball tournament for Job Corps since the pandemic. The students and three staff members arrived last week at the Job Corps in Grafton, Mass.

Jahmier Sellers (#24) and Dashawn Silas (#2) are shown in action.

The Iroquois students recently put in many practices with their coach, Ashtin Fiegel, who is also the Recreation Supervisor at Iroquois Job Corps. He had been working effortlessly with the Iroquois Job Corps team to prepare them for the tournament, said Candace Pitts, work-based learning coordinator at Iroquois Job Corps.

Unfortunately, Pitts said Iroquois suffered a loss against the South Bronx Job Corps 55-16. In the second game, IJCC players came back to defeat Shriver Job Corps by 28-18.

Their win was well-earned, Pitts said, as the players were less anxious and more focused on a win, which sent them into an evening game bracket to play yet another game at 6 p.m.

All IJCC players went into their third game with determination and dedicated effort, playing a very tough game against Hartford Job Corps, with amazing defense, rebounds and, overall, a lot of awesome plays, Pitts said. The two teams battled back and forth on the court, with Hartford victorious at 43-33.

Pitts said the IJCC players were commended for displaying a positive attitude, respectful behaviors and showing appreciation for this opportunity.

Students who attended the tournament were Jamaul Jackson, Jahmier Sellers, Zeyvion Moore, Dashawn Silas, Dayzelles Cain, Quintin Mitchell, Jeron McCammon, Anthony Cruz, Giovanne Wilkinson, Amber Robertson, Josh Espinal and Jakie McMahan.