Hamilton cops and at-risk youth face off on basketball court

In a tough physical game right to the buzzer, Hamilton police defeated Liberty For Youth's Prodigal Sonz, a team made up of at-risk and youth out of incarceration and their mentors, in the Liberty for Youth's 19th annual Liberty & Justice Unity Basketball game.

The event at the Hamilton District Christian School featured a three-point- and dunk contest.

Before the basketball game, AP Calderon who plays for the Prodigal Sonz, spoke about growing up in a single-parent family, getting involved in crime early and being shot. He talked about how he was able to turn his life around with support from police.

He presented the unity ball, which symbolizes the reconciliation between youth in trouble with the law and police, to Hamilton police officer Domenic DiCienzo.

DiCienzo, a Hamilton police youth and engagement team member, was recognized before the events for his community service with young people and helping them with youth serving agencies and outreach programs.

Money raised from this event goes directly to Program Sustainability and assists in providing post-secondary scholarships to at-risk youth who are often first-generation college attenders.

John Rennison is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jrennison@thespec.com