A month ago, 7News told you about Restore Belize bringing back Midnight basketball to try to give at risk youths a productive past-time for the summer holiday.
Last night, the finals were held at the ITVET Compound where the final 3 teams battled for first place.
Today, 7News caught up with the winners and the organizers of the tournament.
Here's what they told us about entire experience:
Kashieka Broaster, Organizer - Midnight Basketball
"The main idea behind the midnight basketball series was to get the youths from different neighborhoods involved during summer and while at school when they have nothing to do in the nights. We have them some out and play some basketball."
Daniel Ortiz
"Where exactly did you guys hold these basketball tournaments?"
Kashieka Broaster
"We had the tournaments in 3 different areas; first we had in Cumberbatch Field, the Samuel Haynes area and the Euphrates court beside St. John's primary school. We had them simultaneously, so each night each court was playing on the courts."
Ervin Orosco, Jungle Ballers - 1st place
"We faced a total of 5 teams in all. We played in our zone which is located in St. Martin's area and from there we manage to win that area and we re-located to ITVETT to the finals with the other two remaining teams from south side and from Euphrates."
Daniel Ortiz
"You guys became the victorious team and one that won the tournament totally. What did you guys won as part of the prize?"
Ervin Orosco
"We won first place prize of $2,000.00 cash and that's about it."
Daniel Ortiz
"Everybody wants to know what will you guys do with $2,000.00?"
Ervin Orosco
"Right now the celebrations are on and I know most of my guys probably will use the money to enjoy the celebrations and stuff like that, party here and there. We will not party out all our money."
Daniel Ortiz
"Part of the initiative was to get young men and put them into an environment where they are active but in a productive way. Would you say that some of your guys are like that?"
Ervin Orosco
"My entire team is like that. We are not the type of people you would see on the news for anything violent. Basically as you can see our team was the only team that didn't have to go far like in a bus or anything of that sort because we don't have anybody that is in trouble. I think from my areas - the guys that we played with - we didn't have a problem with violence or anything like that but from the other areas - some of the guys that came out really humbled their selves."
Jungle Ballers were awarded with $2,000 cash prize for winning the entire tournament.
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