The Homenetmen USA Western Region held its 41st annual Navasartian games and festival at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys over the July 4th weekend. Homenetmen is a pan-Armenian organization devoted to sports and scouting with a mission that includes preparing exemplary citizens with the highest of intellectual and spiritual values, among other principles.

The Homenetmen Ararat Chapter is located in Glendale and this year’s basketball games began the weekend of May 21-22. The games leading up to the July 4th weekend were held at various venues throughout the surrounding areas. Ararat-2’s record was 4-0 going into the July 4th weekend after beating the other U12 teams from the surrounding chapters: Ararat-1, Shant, Masis-1 and Masis-2.

On June 28, Ararat-2 again faced Ararat-1 in a semifinal game, pulling off the win 38-24. With the win, the Ararat-2 boys were headed to the championship game slated for July 3 in a rematch against the Shant Chapter.

The championship game showed two teams that were evenly matched throughout most of the first half. Ararat-2 eventually pulled ahead in the second half and built on that lead while maintaining a strong defense. The game was highly competitive throughout, with the final score 46-37, Ararat-2.

Though both teams played hard, players and parents displayed the spirit of the Homenetmen principles through the exhibition of sportsmanship and mutual respect.

Submitted by Steve SHENIAN

  Steve SHENIAN