Ball For A Cause at City View Park

This Labor Day weekend in Virginia Beach was filled with sunshine, family barbecues, and the spirit of community. But before settling into the three-day holiday, the real hoopers decided to come out and compete at City View Park. On Sunday afternoon, the courts came alive with the energy of streetball, bringing back memories of the mid-2000s, when City View was the heartbeat of basketball in the city. From 2005 through 2015, these courts were always packed—you could catch a game any day of the week, and if you lost, you might wait hours before stepping back on. For many, this was the proving ground.

In recent years, however, that culture has faded. Social media, video games, and the effects of the pandemic have kept kids indoors. With youth violence also on the rise, too many young people are missing out on the benefits of play and community. The Greenbox Foundation is committed to changing that narrative. Through the City View Project, we are working to restore these courts and give the next generation a safe, vibrant space to come together.

This weekend, we hosted our annual charity basketball tournament, Ball for a Cause. Eight teams from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake competed in a single-elimination tournament. Custom jerseys, competitive matchups, and a passionate crowd. The action was intense; high level defense, fast break dunks, and clutch shots.

Thanks to our sponsor Wawa, who donated cases of water to keep players hydrated, we also introduced the “Wawa 3-Ball Shot” to bring extra excitement, especially since the original court has no three-point line. As families enjoyed the bounce house nearby, the Final Four delivered drama of its own, after a key injury to one of Team ICE’s players, spirited debates broke out over whether extra players could be added to rosters. Once resolved, the competition carried on, setting the stage for a championship showdown between Breakfast Buckets and Team ICE.

The title game became a back-and-forth battle with pride on the line. In the end, the championship was decided by a dramatic three-point shot from one of the area’s best shooters,”Killem Cam“, sealing the win.

All proceeds from this event will go toward the City View Project. Our upgrades will be completed in two phases: Phase One will replace the rims with new retro TrueBounce systems, and Phase Two will focus on the foundation. With these improvements, City View will once again become the city’s premier basketball hub, bringing back the culture of play for generations to come.

Photo Credit: Lance Hinton

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