STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- By necessity, the College of Staten Island’s Tournament of Heroes has a slightly different format this season.

One thing that’s never different is the importance CSI men’s basketball head coach T.J. Tibbs places on the event, which more than once he has referred to as “the most important two days of the season.”

The event began in December of 2002 as a tribute to three former CSI players who perished in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 – Tom Hannafin, Curtis Aiken and Scott Davidson. Former CSI coach Tony Petosa, who played with or coached all three heroes, pushed to get the tourney rolling. Tibbs, who has played in it and coached in it, picked up the ball when he became head coach.

“This is the 23rd one,” Tibbs reminded. “We missed the COVID year. And we’ll go

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