Shoot Hoops, Not Guns Brings Community Together for Third Annual Event

The Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club was filled with energy, competition, and powerful conversations as teens, staff, volunteers, and community partners gathered for the third annual Shoot Hoops, Not Guns event.

This year's event built on the vision of 2025 Youth of the Year Brandon Rogers, who launched the initiative in 2024 with a goal of bringing young people together through basketball while promoting positive decision-making and violence prevention.

Each year, longtime Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware volunteer, staff member, and advocate Ms. Temia Holloway shares about how gun violence has forever impacted her life. Alongside Brandon, she challenged players to think carefully about the choices they make and understand the lasting impact those decisions can have on their lives, families, and communities.

“The number of gun victims this summer has been at an all-time high.” Holloway shared. “A split decision could land you in jail for the rest of your life, or under a white sheet.”

Creating opportunities for meaningful conversations that inspire reflection and positive action is what makes Shoot Hoops, Not Guns so special. The messages delivered by Brandon and Temia resonated with the young athletes and served as a reminder that leadership and mentorship can make a difference in ways we may never fully see.

This year's tournament featured teams representing all four New Castle County Boys & Girls Club teen programs, including Claymont, Clarence Fraim, H. Fletcher Brown, and Greater Newark, along with teams from the Teen Warehouse and the Walnut Street YMCA. The addition of organizations beyond the Boys & Girls Clubs helped transform the event into a broader community gathering, strengthening connections among youth-serving organizations throughout the area.

“I’m amazed at how far we’ve come in the past three years. We’re making more of an impact than I could have ever imagined. Year four is going to be even bigger and better!” says Rogers, the founder of the event.

A unique aspect of the tournament was the officiating crew. Under the guidance and training of Steve, a team of teen referees stepped up to officiate the games, demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and professionalism throughout the event.

After an exciting evening of competition, the Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club emerged as tournament champions, claiming the 2026 Shoot Hoops, Not Guns title.

Most importantly, the event succeeded in its mission of bringing young people together, promoting positive choices, and strengthening community relationships. As Shoot Hoops, Not Guns continues to grow each year, it remains a powerful example of how sports can serve as a platform for mentorship, education, and community impact.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's event a success. Together, we are creating opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and thrive both on and off the court!