Hometown Spirit Shines Strong At Porters' Sendoff In Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — Excitement filled the air in Friday as crowds lined the streets for a rousing sendoff to the Greenport boys basketball team as they headed upstate for their next exciting game.

The Greenport Fire Department was out to show their Porter pride, with firetrucks leading the procession, horns blaring and honking as the boys headed off to claim their next victory.

"Congratulations to Coach Ev Corwin and your Greenport Porters, who claimed the title 'New York State Southeast Regional Champions' with a 91 to 77 win over Tuckahoe on Saturday," the Greenport Union Free School District said earlier this week.

On Saturday, the Porters, who are now in the New York State Class C Final Four, will play Cooperstown in upstate Binghamton; the game will take place at the Floyd L. Maines Arena on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. and if they win that game, they will be playing for the New York State Class C Championship, also at the Floyd L. Maines Arena on Sunday at noon.

Annemarie Heaney Chouinard, who said she was so happy to be visiting from Maryland during such an thrilling time for the Porters, was out early Friday to cheer on her hometown team.

"The Greenport community is extremely proud of the team," she said. "It takes a village, and we're all behind these kids 100%. Let's get this title!"

Of Greenport's fierce spirit, she added: "It makes me so proud. The only colors we see here are purple and gold!"

Greenport PTO President Kim Moore-Swann said funds were collected to pay for the boys' meals during the trip upstate.

"Thank you to our awesome community," the Greenport PTO said Friday. In four days, they were able to raise more than $2,300 for the basketball team's meals while on the road this weekend, with drinks and snacks also donated.

"There's no better place to live than Greensport," Moore-Swann said. "Sending our boys off with love and pride. Good luck, guys, and safe travels to all headed to Binghamton this weekend."

Video courtesy Kim Moore-Swann. First video courtesy Annemarie Heaney Chouinard.

"This is a very exciting time to be a Porter," Moore-Swann added. "Regardless of what happens this weekend, this team has brought Porter Pride to an all time high. Through the power of social media and the amazing Webster Sports Network, generations of Porters around the world are reconnected and sharing in the excitement. That in itself is awesome. Add to that the idea that these guys have the heart and talent to take this all the way, and you can't help but feel this is 'our' time! Bring it home guys! We believe in you!

"I think I can speak for the entire community when I say how proud I am," said Greenport resident Joan Dinizio, who works in the Greenport High School athletic office. "This is a special group of guys. They're more than teammates; they're brothers who truly care for one another."