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6th Annual Celebrity Classic Game Raises More Than $5,000 For STARS Program

NEW HARTFORD – The 6th Annual Sitrin Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game, held on Thursday, April 24th at the New Hartford High School gymnasium, raised more than $5,000.  All proceeds benefit the Sitrin STARS Program, which is an adaptive sports and recreation program for individuals with disabilities.

With a new format, a large crowd gathered to watch the first ever All-Star Game featuring top local high school and college basketball players.  The second segment of the game showcased the Celebrity Game, where a number of local celebrities played against the Sitrin STARS team in wheelchairs. Ultimate Fighter Matt "The Hammer" Hamill, Symeon Tsoupelis, Jr., of Symeon's Restaurant, Alex Carbone of the Carbone Auto Group, Boilermaker founder Earle Reed, and KISS-FM's Gary Spears were among the featured celebrities who once again, could not bring down the STARS team.

The final period of the game featured much action as the players from the All-Star game took to the court in wheelchairs against the Sitrin STARS.  STARS athlete, Kevin Burnside, made the last play of the game to secure the win for the STARS in the final seconds of the game.  The score was STARS – 27, All-Stars - 25.

Sponsors for the event included Arthritis Specialists, Carbone Autogroup, The Hartford, Empire Recycling, Kiwanis of Utica, Knights of Columbus, Jay-K, KISS-FM,  and Trainor.

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