Ballers from Across New Jersey Converge On Rahway for The Inaugural Mayor’s Cup Tournament
Dozens of competitors gathered Saturday at Madison Park for the chance to win a cash prize.
Sunday, September 8, 2025
Rahway’s newly renovated basketball courts at Madden Field turned into a battleground of talent, sweat, and community spirit on Saturday as 12 teams from across the region faced off in the first-ever Mayor’s Cup 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe opened the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is about bringing everyone together,” he said during brief remarks before tipoff.
The tournament was split into two brackets—ages 18 and older, and 30 and older—and followed a fast-paced, double-elimination format. Games were played half-court, first to 21 or capped at 10 minutes, keeping the action tight and the competition fierce.
Each team paid a $125 entry fee and was outfitted in matching uniforms provided by the city. The tournament attracted both seasoned players and weekend warriors, each hoping to take home a $650 cash prize and bragging rights.
“It feels amazing,” said Evan Amaker, a member of Team Jordan, which won the 18-and-older division after a heated final matchup against a team sponsored by Butch Kowels. “We definitely earned it.”
Led by Rahway native Jordan Tapia, Team Jordan also featured longtime friends Jahad Harris and Peter Asembiomo.
“I’m Rahway bred,” Tapia said. “So I had to represent.”
Asembiomo called the win a “full circle moment,” reflecting on the years the group has been together.
In the 30-and-older division, the SPF Dads took the title despite stumbling out of the gate. After dropping their opening game, the team from Scotch Plains and Fanwood regrouped and won out to claim the trophy.
“We usually play against each other in local leagues. This time, we got to team up,” said team captain Siri Carpien, who played alongside Jason Pompeo, Damien Jackson, Jamal Berry, and Jorge Manqui.
The tournament was more than just buckets and bragging rights. Rahway’s Parks & Recreation Department helped turn the event into a family-friendly festival. Two bounce houses, carnival-style games, and free t-shirts kept younger visitors entertained. Food trucks lined the park’s edge, and an ice cream truck offered a welcome cool-down under the late-summer sun.
Bounce houses, games, and a DJ booth kept families entertained while players hit the courts nearby. (The Central Jerseyan)
The city also held a backpack giveaway funded by the Parks and Recreation Department. The giveaway featured school bags fully stocked with notebooks, binders, calculators, and other essentials. A staffer on-site said they’ll continue handing out the backpacks at future city events while supplies last.
One game was paused after a player suffered a lower leg injury and was transported by ambulance. He appeared alert and talking with EMTs at the time.
Many players said they plan to return next year, proving the Mayor’s Cup has found a permanent home in Rahway’s growing lineup of community traditions.
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