A Wilton family is honoring their late father’s legacy in basketball in the form of a charitable scholarship.

According to his wife Gisele, Harry Dailey was a notable figure in the Wilton basketball community and never missed a game. For 10 years, Harry coached his son Stephen and his teammates when they played in the Wilton Junior Athletic Association. When Harry wasn’t coaching, he was standing and cheering Stephen on from the sidelines during his varsity years at WLC. 

In February 2022, Harry died, leaving behind Gisele and children Amanda and Stephen. In honor of Harry, the family introduced the Harry Dailey Memorial Scholarship last year, where one winner received a $1,500 college scholarship. In the second year since introducing the scholarship, the Dailey family came up with a new way to honor their late father the best way they know how -- by playing basketball. 

On Sunday, 18 participants came together at the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative Middle High School gymnasium to compete in a two-on-two tournament and skills competition in the inaugural Harry Dailey Memorial Basketball Tournament. Dozens of community members also came out to show their support for the Dailey family, and the event raised nearly $800.

Gisele said hosting a basketball tournament meant keeping Harry’s legacy alive. 

“My husband Harry was very involved with school and was very community service-oriented,” said Gisele. “We decided to do a basketball tournament because we used to go to all the basketball games at the high school. This [fundraiser] is in memory of him.”

During the fundraising event, Travis Matteuzzi and Christian Barr won the two-on-two tournament and a custom Harry Dailey memorial basketball and Steve Kostenblatt won the skills competition and earned a $100 prize. 

Based on this year’s turnout, Stephen said he plans to host the tournament every year in honor of his late father. 

“I feel like it’s the perfect thing to honor his legacy,” said Stephen. 

According to Gisele, $20 from each team plus outside donations will be pooled into the scholarship. The Harry Dailey Memorial Scholarship will be given out to one winner in June 2023. 

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