Back to School Buckets Returns to UPB for a Second Year

By: Matthew Eck and Dylan Tehada

Back to School Buckets is a 3v3 tournament created to raise funds for the UPBasketball Youth Charitable Foundation and their ongoing work with underserved youth in sports. The annual event took place on Sunday afternoon, September 8th, with a bit of a twist. This year’s organizers - Damon Coakley (Sacred Heart Prep), Tate Cohen (Menlo School), Matthew Eck (Junipero Serra), and Madden Yeung (Piedmont HS) - decided to do their part in this year’s rendition of the event by integrating a brand new format with fun activities and events.

With a focus on recruiting high school players, the organizers created three strong, competitive groupings - a Varsity, JV, and an unexpected Mixed Athlete division. The Mixed Athlete division was the biggest surprise, yet undeniably the most novel and fun. As interest in the tournament grew, numerous non-basketball athletes began creating 3v3 teams, warranting an additional division beyond the traditional Varsity and JV split. If the majority of a team was made up of non-basketball athletes, they went into the Mixed Athlete division. Everyone was excited to see water polo, football, baseball, and lacrosse players compete against one another on the basketball court. 

“These guys are all top athletes in their sports. But basketball leveled things out. Everyone played hard and wanted to win. It was competitive and really fun,” according to Coakley. 

The tournament also showcased impressive, classic play from some of the best high school hoopers in the area and treated the crowd to game winning shots and high-energy dunks. Fourteen high schools were represented from around the Bay, including Aragon, Burlingame, Carlmont, Hillsdale, Junipero Serra, Menlo School, Menlo-Atherton, Monte Vista, Piedmont, Riordan, Sacred Heart Prep, San Mateo, Sequoia, and St. Francis. 

“I was here last year as a player and this year as an organizer. It’s been great both times, especially seeing it grow,” Cohen said. 

This year’s event was a huge success, with more than five times the number of high school players and donations exceeding the organizers’ fundraising goal. 

“Everyone here understands the power of sports and the amazing community that comes with it. Coming out to play and helping others at the same time. It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Yeung. 

This year’s organizers are truly grateful to the community for their ongoing support of the UPBasketball Youth Charitable Foundation and look forward to next year’s event!