High school basketball tournament honors murdered alum in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - For the seventh year running, dozens of western Massachusetts high school basketball players are competing in a two-day memorial tournament in Springfield.

The annual "Richard Cunningham Holiday Classic" tipped off Friday night at the High School of Commerce.

The "Classic" funds a scholarship at New Leadership Charter School, and is named for Richard Cunningham, a former New Leadership player who was murdered out of state in 2006.

"The money goes to a scholarship for a student at New Leadership, usually a senior,  that does great community work, is a good student and a good samaritan overall," New Leadership Charter School Athletic Director Wesley Jackson told 22News.

Yusuf Abdul-Ali played ball with Cunningham, and is now head coach for the East Longmeadow High School boys basketball team.  Abdul-Ali remembers Cunningham fondly.

"I played with Rich since the seventh grade.  And one thing about Rich, he was a feisty dude who would do everything.  He would sacrifice his body, and he was just a fun guy to be around."

The purpose of the tournament is to honor Rich Cunningham and fund the scholarship for a deserving New Leadership student.  Money is raised through admission fees.

Nine teams are participating this year.  Day Two of the Classic tips off Saturday afternoon at 3:00 at the High School of Commerce.