Three Passaic Valley Youth Championship Basketball Teams Saluted in Little Falls

By Tina Pappas

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. - Three Passaic Valley youth basketball league championship teams from Little Falls were saluted at the Township Council Workshop Meeting on April 17. Mayor James Damiano and the Township Council honored two girls teams and one boys team for their wins.

In what has become a tradition, Mayor Damiano asked each team to come up with a spirited cheer after being acknowledged individually and accepting their awards. The first team to be called up was led by head coaches Dan Findlay and Ron Krietzman from the third and fourth grade girls team.

“Ron and I enjoy what we do, but you girls put in all the hard work. You should be proud of yourselves,” said Findlay.

Damiano introduced the next team’s coach, Jeremy Culver, who heads the fifth and sixth grade girls championship team and is also a men’s league champion himself this year. Culver said it was a pleasure to coach his team as the girls defeated another team from Little Falls in the final.

“I enjoy coaching this team, seeing you girls improve and just letting you play,” Culver said.

Coach Brian Callahan’s team, comprised of fifth and sixth grade boys, was introduced next by Damiano. The team also defeated another Little Falls team in the final. Callahan spoke prior to his team’s acknowledgement.

“I had a fun time this year, you guys were great!” he said. “We had a great assistant coach this year, Ricky, who helped me out. We only lost one game this year.”

Damiano then extended his congratulations to all the teams and their coaches at the close of the presentations.