Record entries at the March Madness tournament from Wellington Wolves

For the 23rd year, the Wolves Wolves organized their March Madness basketball tournament in Wellington on the weekend of the 1st to 2-year-old. According to Chris Fratalia, President of the Wellington Wolves Travel Basketball program, it was the biggest tournament in the history of the event.

During the two -day event, more than 400 games of 140 youth basketball teams from all over the state were played. In addition to teams from Palm Beach County, the teams from Miami and Bradenton traveled to Wellington.

Fratalia was thrilled how the tournament was carried out from start to finish. “It was a great weekend in competition basketball,” he said. “It was our biggest tournament of all time and the smoothest. We had a number of great volunteers forward to help. “

The main town for the March Madness tournament was Wellington's Village Park on Pierson Road. However, 19 different venues in the entire Palm Beach County were used to stage the tournament. Seven of these locations were in Wellington. In addition to the three indoor places in Village Park, the other venues of Wellington were the Polo Park Middle School, the Emerald Cove Middle School, the Wellington High School, the Wellington Landings Middle School, the Palm Beach Central High School and the Neil S. Hiry Boys & Girls Club. The Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach was also used for the tournament.

Other tournament cake in Palm Beach County were the Keiser University, the Okeeheelee Midderschule, the John I. Leonard High School, the Woodlands Middle School, the LC Swain Middle School, the Palm Springs Middle School, Middle School in the Jada Mcauliffe Miderschool School of the Santaluces High School and the Dr. Joaquín García High School.

This year's tournament started in Village Park on Saturday, March 1st at 8:30 a.m. Fratalia was there to welcome all players, coaches, parents and fans. After Fratalia's comments, the singing of the national anthem of Emily Shecter followed.

The tournament's young basketball teams ranged from third graders to university, while the girls -basketball teams ranged from sixth to university.

A total of 20 teams from the Wellington Wolves took part in the tournament: 13 young teams and seven girls' squad. Six of these won their respective age group: three young teams and three girls' teams. The victorious young teams were the Division I. Division 1 and 11th grade of third grade.

In the afternoon of the second day of the tournament, the Wellington Wolves organization honored one of the youngest, more accomplished former players – Harwood landed.

“Gangen won the Palm Beach County Player of the Year Award for 2025,” said Fratalia. “He is a senior of the Christian school in the lake. He played for the wolves for six years and places a scholarship at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University [in Daytona Beach]. He has a 4.79 GPA. “

Some of the tournament's more creative team names were the Miami Blue Rays, Florida Sea Dragons, Muck City, 561 Wildcats, Inspir8ion -Basketball, Yeti Select, TC Kings and the Florida rebels.

On the first day of the tournament, 4,421 new and slightly worn shoes were collected in Village Park in Jacob's shoes, a non -profit organization that collects shoes for needy children in Südflorida. These efforts to collect the shoe were coordinated by the Council of Fathers, which is led by John Sitomer, in Wellington, in cooperation with the Wellington Wolves.

“We have collected more than 15,000 pairs of brand new and slightly worn shoes here in Wellington in the last five March Madness tournaments,” said Sitomer. “The general effort was a hit success. We received donations from a wide cross-section of the entire Wellington community and beyond. “

In order to stage the March Madness basketball tournament from Wellington, almost 100 referees required from Palm Beach County, Broward County and the treasure coast. The referees were assigned by Erik Benz and Leon Lipsick, the co-directors of the Refit collective.

To support the referees and volunteers, a number of restaurants donated Essen and drinks for the Hospitality Room in Village Park. These restaurants included Agliolio, Lutinas Pizza & Subs, CR Chicks, Chicken Salad Chick, 40 flavors and more, bagels with Deli, PBE Catering and Reggae Jerk Bar & Grill.

According to Fratalia, there are already plans for the March Madness basketball tournament next year, which will take place from March 7th to 8th, 2026.