Co-ed Basketball Team a Slam Dunk at Grove School

MADISON, Conn., Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For Madison's Grove School, a co-educational therapeutic day and boarding school for struggling teens, the basketball season is off to a promising start.  Its 19-player team comprised of male and female students in grades 8-12 is demonstrating a commitment to hard work and teamwork on the court.

The team, coached by Sean Kursawe, Jacob Lieber, Tim Shaw and Jillian Galli, consists of long-time and first-time players.  Senior Jason Brown of New Canaan, CT is new to the Grove School squad this season, but is emerging as the on-the-court leader.

"This dynamic is one of the challenges of coaching this team, but it is also the reason coaching is so much fun," said Head Coach Kursawe. "It's great to see the development of players at all different levels. The coaches look to help each player take a step forward in their individual skills while encouraging them to work together as a team."

Grove School's co-ed basketball team began practicing in early December and will play 14 local schools during regular season games and participate in two tournaments in early March to cap off the season.  They hold a 2-3 record thus far this season.

"I love the excitement of playing other schools and representing our school," said senior Dennis Michael Sullivan of Southbury, CT.

After a couple months of practices and games, the team is working as one and showing significant improvement.  For the players, many of whom are working to overcome social and emotional challenges, this experience is allowing them to build new relationships with their peers.  While a few of the players were friends before joining the team, for most, being on the team is their first experience working together.  Basketball has created strong team spirit and a connection between them, which they can take off-the-court, into the classroom and beyond.

"Basketball has always been my favorite sport and I have loved the experience of being on this team with all of my teammates," said eighth grader Michael Rosenthal from Sioux City, IA.

The coaches and team look forward to a strong finish to the season and seeing many of the players continue next year.

The Grove School is located at 175 Copse Road in Madison.  To learn more, visit www.GroveSchool.org.

About The Grove School:

Established in 1934, Grove School is a family-run, co-educational, therapeutic boarding school for at risk youth nestled in the shoreline community of Madison, Conn.  It is a therapeutic milieu for struggling teens with social, emotional and learning challenges that have impacted the quality of their lives.  With a seamless program of clinical services, college preparatory education and diverse activities, Grove School focuses on the development of meaningful relationships and personal growth.  Its clinical approach uses contextually-based psychodynamic psychotherapy delivered in bi-weekly individual sessions, weekly group therapy, family therapy and milieu therapy.  The academic curriculum accommodates the individual learner while offering a rigorous college preparatory education including AP courses.  Activities appeal to students' wide range of interests and include team and individual sports, over 20 club options, fine arts, theatre, music, outdoor adventure, yoga, and ASTEEs (Alternative Site Therapeutic and Educational Experiences).  Grove School is approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education and licensed by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.  To learn more, visit www.GroveSchool.org.

Media Contact:  Danielle Cyr | 860.676.4400 | [email protected]

SOURCE The Grove School