YORK, PA – The York College men’s and women’s basketball team put on yet another terrific performance this year, but this time for a group of young mathematicians. During York County’s sixth annual Math Madness competition, the Spartan men's and women's basketball programs put on a special demonstration for the third-grade students as an encouragement for them to continue to excel in school.

"It was so exciting to see the interactions between the members of the York College men’s and women's basketball teams and third grade students at the Math Madness Regional Tournament,” Clint Snyder of the Spring Grove Area School District said.   

The Math Madness competition is designed to help young students prepare for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing while presenting math in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Following a building-based tournament, each participating elementary school sends their top four scorers to the regional competition, which was held at York College’s Grumbacher Sport & Fitness Center for the second straight year.

Toward the end of the event the Spartan basketball squads put on a shooting competition and wowed the youngsters with some exciting dunks. All the while, getting the kids involved by shaking their hands and getting them to cheer throughout.

The Spartans then handed out awards and took pictures with the students at the end of the day.

 “The students were thrilled by the basketball teams' high energy display of basketball skills and high-fives,” Snyder continued. “The players made a personal connection with the third grade students by participating in a group picture, presenting awards and prizes, and signing autographs."

Photo: Dylan Hoffman hands a trophy to a smiling young lady at the 2010 Math Madness Regional Tournament at the Grumbacher Sport & Fitness Center. - courtesy of Kirstin Brown