The first whistle blew on Monday, June 15, and play for the Broad Channel Athletic Club (BCAC) basketball’s 2026 BCAC Shamrock Summer Shootout was off and running. Excitement was in the sunny late afternoon air as scores of youngsters, cheered on by parents, families, neighbors and friends, took to the courts at Broad Channel’s 17th Road Park, just off Cross Bay Boulevard.
The program brings together hundreds of boys and girls from Broad Channel, the Rockaways and beyond to learn the basics of the game, play and have fun. Originally started nearly 28 years ago, its current incarnation has been going strong, with a brief pause for Covid, for the past 11 years.
BCAC dedicated member and program supporter Mary Feeney notes, this year “we have approximately 400 kids, 40 teams. We’re going to play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, with games beginning at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.”
This season, he says, “we’re remembering two wonderful people who passed away, both pioneers of the league, Michelle Cuttrone Greene and Jack Palmese.” As Shootout coordinator and coach respectively, both were deeply involved in the program.
BCAC’s Facebook page announced that both Greene and Palmese were honored at a very special observance on Wednesday evening, June 17, as two large banners were placed on the park’s courtside fences “in their loving memory.”
Each, the BCAC wrote, “…volunteered countless hours year after year for the thousands of kids who have participated in the BCAC Shamrock Summer Shootout.” They also invited “every player, who over the years, benefited by the dedication of Coach Jack and Michelle” to attend.
Feeney stated that at 6 p.m. that evening they dedicated and renamed the Senior Boys Division as the Coach Jack Palmese Division, a “name that will be forever, as long as the series is around.”
Noting how much a part of the Summer Shootout Greene and Palmese were, Feeney recalled how the then dormant program’s revival began in 2015, “in my backyard. Myself, Heidi Monahan, Pat and Jack Palmese, Michelle Greene and a few others put (it) together.”
The current Summer Shootout league consists of the Tykes Division, ages 5-6, with six teams, Peanut Division, ages 7-8, with six boys’ teams and four girls’ teams, plus the Rascals, ages 9-10, with six girls’ and six boys’ teams. There is also the Junior Division, 11-12, with six boys’ and four girls’ teams, and the Senior Boys, 13-14, fielding four teams. The Shootout generally runs for six to seven weeks, including regular season games, playoffs, and championship matchups for the older divisions.
This year the BCAC Shamrock Summer Shootout is sponsored by the Palmese Family, Bungalow Bar, “In Loving Memory of Michelle”-King’s Barn Elk Ski Trip, Sonny’s Collision Specialists, HB Hurricanes, Nora’s Grands, Century 21-Amiable Realty II, Healy’s Pub, Councilwoman Joann Ariola, CALLAHEAD, the Shad Creek Association, Bryan’s Auto, North Channel Yacht Club, ACE Cross Bay Hardware, Keane Inc, Jerry Albert Sea Turtle Association, New York JCTees and DiVino restaurant.
In a previous interview BCAC’s Caroline Feeney explained, “The Summer Shootout is a community-based youth basketball program that focuses on more than just teaching kids how to play the game. It’s about building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and creating a positive environment for players of all skill levels. Whether a child is picking up a basketball for the first time or already has some experience, there’s a place for them in the program.”
The program runs on the hard work of volunteer coaches, scorekeepers, and referees. The BCAC is always looking for more people who want to get involved and make a difference.
As Caroline Feeney noted, “…we place a strong emphasis on life skills that kids can carry with them long after the season ends. Sportsmanship, communication, perseverance, and respect—for teammates, coaches, and opponents—are all values we work to instill through the program.” Kids also get to try new things, give and get the support of often new teammates and make new friends.
All are welcome to the courts to watch the games and cheer on the players.
This year the BCAC has also begun the summer-long Broad Channel series of fun and fundraising events known as Mardi Gras, which has been a Channel tradition for well over a century. Each year the island community’s two non-profit groups, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and BCAC trade off organizing, running and hosting Mardi Gras activities. These include movie nights, family fun events, dinners, sporting contests, and competitions such as for best decorated house, and races to see which candidates for Best Block, Mardi Gras Mayor, King, Queen, Baby Face, etc. can raise the most funds. BC Mardi Gras culminates with a grand parade on Labor Day weekend. Proceeds go to the hosting organization.
The BCAC noted Michelle Greene “was also the head of numerous Mardi Gras committees, raising thousands of dollars over the years for the club and its programs.”
As this year’s basketballs hit the court, whistles blow and children have fun, both she and Palmese will be deeply remembered and missed. As the BCAC stated, “May they both be watching over our league from heaven.”
For more information see BCAC Shamrocks on Facebook.
