St. Benedict’s Prep takes on NJ State Troopers in basketball game
New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa, who played for St. Benedict's his sophomore and junior seasons, showed his support.
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Students and New Jersey State Police came together in Newark with a superstar from the New York Knicks.
The St. Benedict’s Prep Gray Bees took on New Jersey state rroopers in a basketball game.
"It's a great time for all of us to come together and just understand that we're all living for one cause and that's just to have life and breathe, you know?" said student Kaleb Hassell. "We're just grateful for that."
"It's a blessing that we get to mend these fences between our law enforcement and community like ours," said student Liam Vertreese.
The game is part of the Building Bridges Program, an initiative developed to build bonds of understanding and trust between communities of color and law enforcement.
"It starts to break down those perceptions where they start to see each other like brothers and sisters," said Col. Pat Callahan, New Jersey State Police. "It’s much more than just a basketball game today."
New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa, who played for St. Benedict's during his sophomore and junior seasons, showed his support.
"This took me back to when I was here when I was a kid," said Achiuwa. "Just being able to come back and see them having so much fun is huge."
The troopers won the game 61-56.
"They've got to humble the kids," said Achiuwa. "Let them know they have been doing this for a lot longer than they are."
