Nate “Naughty By Nature” Brown guards Adris “2 hard 2 Guard” De Leon

The kids of the Metro Hawks 14-under team are making names, just like the older guys.

Hoops In The Sun tournament directors Joe and Randy Cruz are doing their best construction work over at Orchard Beach (BX) by bridging the gap between super-duper playground talents of today and tomorrow.

We all know the names that have been ruling the summer circuits as of late, like Steve “The Condemned” Burtt Jr., Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield, Obadiah “Snoop” Toppin, and Darren “Primal Fear” Phillip. It is nearly impossible to tune in an episode of MSG-TV’s “Summerball,” pick up the Tuesday NY Post, or stop by a league’s site without hearing how they have destroyed their competition in a light day’s work. Well, whether you know it or not, there are kids building up reps on the same stage that veterans defend theirs.

I stopped by H.I.T.S. on a rainy Sunday afternoon about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the Bronx Riviera courts were washed out so games went indoors to Baychester Community Center. I caught two youth division contests that featured some serious athleticism and skill. The C.A.S.W. (Children’s Aid Society Warriors) and Metro Hawks both grabbed Ws.

Watching these junior high kids dunk (that’s right D-U-N-K, like the Nike sneaker) and boogie with their dribble on the lay-up line was crazy. In the game, they’re all about having a good time and playing hard. Even though they’re young, they exhibit the same passion and flair for the game that the elite guys do. Without question they have bright futures ahead of them in the sport.

That gym was a lot of fun. Thank you to the Cruz brothers, Bobby Cey, DJ Jaz and the whole H.I.T.S. staff for a very entertaining day in my hometown, the BX. Check out the schedule to see who’s happening now and who’s got the future on lock at www.hoopsinthesun.net

Flight of The Phoenix taking off . . .

One of them may take off from the foul line soon, too!