O'Bryant basketball player competes in New England High School All-Star Challenge

BOSTON – Ikechukwu “Ike” Azotam, a senior at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, was one of only 24 high school basketball players from the region to compete recently in the first New England High School All-Star Challenge.

Azotam, a 6’7” forward, joined players from five New England states in the game on March 22 at Springfield College. Azotam led the North team in the public school game, with 14 points and six rebounds, but the North team lost to South, 111-99.

O’Bryant officials noted that Azotam achieves in the classroom as well as on the basketball court. On the MCAS exams required for graduation, he scored Advanced in Mathematics and Proficient in both English and Chemistry.

The O’Bryant Tigers boys’ basketball team, led by coach Juan Figueroa, ended the regular season with an 11-3 record before advancing to the city championship game.

The game of basketball was invented in Springfield, Mass., and the city is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Following the all-star game, athletes competed in a Dunk Contest.

The New England High School All-Star Challenge is sponsored by BasketBull, an official affiliate of the National Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.basketbull.org.