Osgood Shootout Scholarships Announced

Six students will receive scholarships from proceeds of the 27th Annual Osgood Shootout Basketball Tournament, announced Coach Darwin Shaw.

“Let all that you do be done with Love. 1st Corinthians 16:14,” quoted Shaw, who is the Tournament’s Director, in announcing the scholarships.

The 2019 Osgood Shootout, will be held on Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th at New Britain High School.

The scholarship benefit tournament, “New England’s Biggest Summer Men’s Basketball Tournament,” has long been known for spirited competition and for bringing the community together.

Shaw points out that

The tournament has awarded 71 scholarships over the past 27 years and six scholarships have been awarded in the name of the late Albert A. Vieira, a mentor and coach to many of the youth throughout the City of New Britain.

Brianna Clarke, Isaiah Jenkins, Kevin Slisz, Jr. and Elijah Watson have been awarded $500 scholarships by the Osgood Shootout staff.

Mya Stewart and Valentina Hernandez have been awarded the Albert A. Vieira Scholarship. The scholarship’s namesake was a star of New Britain’s Industrial League in baseball and basketball, who went on to be a respected coach in youth baseball, basketball and football.

Her biography in the forthcoming Tournament program book says that Brianna Clarke

is the daughter of Diana Lukasik. Brianna is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout her high school years Brianna was a member of the basketball team for 4 years, and named captain during her senior year. She was president of Tri-M Music Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Golden Hurricanes Marching Band and was a section leader. She will begin her studies at Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island in the fall of 2019 where she plans on majoring in Early Childhood Criminal Justice.

The Tournament program says that Isaiah Jenkins

is the son of Melody and Tyshawn Yopp. Isaiah is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout his high school years Isaiah was a member of the football team for 2 years and the basketball team for 4 years. He helped lead the basketball team to the state championship game this past season. He was also an honor roll student. He will begin his studies at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut in the fall of 2019 where he plans on majoring in Communications and minoring in Sports Management.

Kevin Slisz Jr.’s biography says that,

He is the son of Meredith and Kevin Slisz Sr. Kevin is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout his high school years Kevin was a member of the baseball team. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, Society of Young Scholars and the Academy of Finance. Outside of school, Kevin is a volunteer youth basketball coach at the YMCA. He will begin his studies at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Connecticut in the fall of 2019 where he plans on majoring in Sports Management.

His scholarship program biography says that Elijah Watson

is the son of Imari and Tishara Watson. Elijah is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout his high school years Elijah was a member of the wrestling team for 4 years and was named captain during his senior year. He was also recognized as one of Connecticut’s top wrestlers, in his weight class. He also participated in JROTC where he competed in Raider competition and was an active member in the community, occasionally assisting in feeding the homeless. He will begin his studies at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts in the fall of 2019 where he plans on majoring in Criminology and Social Science.

In describing the two awardees of the Albert A. Vieira Scholarship for $250, the Tournament program says that Mya Stewart

is the daughter of Denise Alvarrado and Mark Stewart. Mya is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout her high school years she was a part of JROTC and Colorguard. She was also named captain of the Drill Team and was the Battalion Commander of JROTC. She was an honor roll student at New Britain High School. She will begin her studies at Tunxis Community College in Farmington, Connecticut in the fall of 2019 where she plans on majoring in Early Childhood Education.

And Valentina Hernandez’ biography says that

She is the daughter of Francesca Hernandez. Valentina is a graduate of New Britain High School, class of 2019. Throughout her high school career she was a member of the basketball team for 3 years. She was an honor roll student and was involved with helping out at Little Canes Preschool for 3 years. She will begin her studies at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut in the fall of 2019 where she plans on majoring in Psychology to become a Criminal Profiler.

The Tournament is a single-elimination format. The competition will be in two divisions, high school and open.

On August 2nd, Shaw announced that, “All of the spots in all division have been filled for the 27th Annual Osgood Shootout.”

“Admission is free,” said Shaw when the 2019 tournament was announced, “So come out and enjoy some great basketball, food, music and see some old/new friends.”