HYDE PARK — On a rainy Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas M. Menino YMCA, dozens of kids inundated a freshly-renovated basketball court. The sound of squeaking shoes and bouncing rubbery basketballs permeated the six-hoop gymnasium, all while community leaders stood on the sideline to watch.
The kids — overwhelmingly local elementary school students — eagerly awaited the arrival of a Celtics player who would help punctuate the announcement of the community center’s new gym. Lucky, the Celtics’ long-time team mascot, entertained the kids in anticipation of the guest of honor, as did Kash Cannon, the Celtics’ Director for Community Engagement.