The packed gym at Quinn Elementary School buzzed with excitement on Sunday, March 23 as friends, families, athletes and coaches from both Dartmouth Girls Athletic League and Dartmouth Youth Activities Association joined together to compete in their respective All Star basketball games. 

It was the first time in history that the two organizations have come together like this. 

Sneakers squeaked, fans cheered and coaches were bracing themselves, readying for the day’s ultimate event: a face off between the two.

Dressed in pink and black t-shirts, each coach was welcomed onto the court with an eruption of cheers from the crowd — some waving signs to encourage their respective organizations as well as their dads. 

The ball went up and the game was on, but it wasn’t the kids facing off for these bragging rights, it was the coaches who were tasked with proving they could do more than just shout from the sidelines.

After an intense game, the Dartmouth Youth Activities League coaches found themselves triumphant, winning 48-44.

“I’m hurting right now,” said DGAL basketball commissioner Steve DaCosta. “We’re all going to be pretty sore tomorrow.”

Ryan Goyette, who coaches grades two and three for DGAL 2-3, said it was a tough game.

“I was definitely out of shape, a couple pounds overweight, but all-in-all it was super, super fun,” he said. “I haven’t played basketball like that in probably about five to 10 years, so it was nice to be out on the court again.”

The organizations’ day of basketball together was “more than I could have ever hoped for,” Goyette said. 

“I think it’s great for both organizations, especially since we’re in the town together, so it just makes sense to come together, raise some money for both leagues and the kids get to have fun and that’s the most important part,” he added.

Adam Mathes, DYAA basketball commissioner, said both the day and coaches game were filled with fun. He credited Jay Laviolette, who referees for the DYAA and coaches DGAL, with bringing the idea forward for a combined All Star Day, noting the event was a “grand slam” for the organization.

DYAA had a good, competitive basketball season overall, he said, highlighting the formation of a new league for second and third graders, which went “exceedingly well.”

Steven Kaplan, one of the coaches for the new league, said, “It was perfect. It was competitive right down to the championship.”

He added, “It’s just really fun watching these kids grow up learning to play basketball — the improvement that they make over just a six-month period — it’s real fun to watch.”

Both sports organizations hope to make the All Star Day an annual tradition and look forward to their next coaches game.