Last year, following the PIAA high school basketball championships, the CJ2K, a summer league based out of Brady’s Run Park put on its first-ever charity basketball event to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
After a successful charity game in 2025, the league is leveling up for the second annual CJ2K Vs The World charity games, with junior high contests beginning at 6 p.m. on March 27 at Beaver County Christian School and high school games on March 28 at 1 p.m. at Aliquippa.
Throughout the past year, the CJ2K has continued to expand, partnering with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2025 campaign and also adding a junior high league.
Along with additions to its summer league and the pair of junior high games in this year’s event, cofounders Scott Alaskin and Joe Kirschner have grown the league’s connections and with that, added another charity.
On top of the money raised for Children’s Hospital, the league will also be raising funds for Coaches Vs Cancer, splitting the proceeds between the two entities.
“When I was watching high school basketball on 22 The Point this season, I reached out to Darren Zaslau and asked him if he wanted to do the PA announcing for the games since Brandon Rossi, our regular PA announcer, had a prior engagement,” Alaskin said. “When Darren agreed, he told us more about Coaches Vs Cancer and we decided that we wanted to raise money for that charity, too.”
When it comes to youth basketball in Beaver County, Alaskin and Kirschner have been instrumental in the growth of the sport with its summer league.
But after its first year doing the charity event, it has given players a unique opportunity to give back to the community, all while playing the sport that they love.
“As someone affiliated with the league, it brings a platform for student athletes to give back,” Kirschner said. “I think that the players appreciate that and anytime that you model community service to students, it is a plus.
Just like last year, fans who are interested in donating can do so via the league’s online website.
However, there is an additional way to give back, with the league announcing a player’s pledge, which is a new feature this year.
“Taylor Kirschner has been the spark plug to this whole engine,” Alaskin said. “Along with regular donations to the two charities, this year, she has created a ‘players pledge’ initiative. Family members or individuals can pledge a certain amount of money and donate for however many points they score.”
For the players’ pledge initiative, there will be a lot of great talent hitting the hardwood in this year’s event, both at the junior high and high school levels.
Last year, “The World” team’s rosters were comprised of players from around Beaver County and the Pittsburgh area.
However, this year, Alaskin and Kirschner have cast a wide net, getting top talent from across the state and beyond to compete.
In the girls game, Arizona signee Makayla Presser-Palmer will compete on the world team, with the combo-guard coming off a senior campaign when she became District 10’s all-time leading scorer in girls basketball history.
On the CJ2K team, influencer and top-ranked guard in the Class of 2030, Olivia Harness will play in the high school game in addition to an appearance at the junior high games, holding a dribbling challenge during contests with the players and young fans in attendance.
Over on the boys side, the CJ2K and world squads feature some of the best talent in the area, including three-star recruit Aaron Webb, who holds a multitude of Power 4 offers.
“We try and invite some of the best-of-the-best talent around for the world team. We always wanted it to truly be CJ2K Vs The World, and now we are getting out a little further into the world, dipping into Indiana County, Johnstown, Erie, West Virginia and Ohio,” Alaskin said. “Coaches gave their input on players and we wanted the focus to be on seniors, but also include prospects that are rising prospects.”
To pair with the high-flying action, all four games will showcase the CJ2K’s unique flair, featuring the National Anthem by saxophonist Derek Redd, tunes pumped by Aliquippa’s own DJ Budro. The event will also be emcee’d by Keir Jeter.
Tickets are now on sale through a package, giving fans entry into both junior high and high school games at discounted rates. Single-game tickets for either day can also be purchased, with students receiving a discount as well.
