The weekend started with an upset Friday night at Dyckman. Three-time campeones TNP took a tough 60-58 L against the newly formed Harlem Ballers, featuring an all-star backcourt of Kenny Satterfield and Kareem Reid. Reid ran the pick and roll with Ty Valentine to perfection en route to the upset. The loss is the first for TNP in three years. Look out for the Harlem Ballers; they are legit.

Also at Dyckman, Rodney Park defeated Bingo’s All-Stars 59-57. Former Providence Friar Abdul Mills led RP with 12 points and Anthony Glover led Bingo with 14 in a losing effort. Dominican Power looked a lot sharper this week dispatching of Tony Rosa’s Mustangs 61-51. Baby Shaq of DP led all scorers with 18.

For those of you who haven’t been out to the Brooklyn’s Conrad McCrae youth tourney on Dean St., you are doing yourself a disservice. I went out Saturday afternoon and almost left early because of the weather. (Thanks for the pep talk to brave the rain, Anton.) Boy am I happy I stayed! I got to see the NYC’s up and comers when Team Nike took on Juice Future Stars aka Lincoln HS’ next ones. Suiting up for Juice was Ethan Telfair, Sebastian’s little brother. The kid can really pass. The game’s star was Daijan “The Fullback” Palmer, who’s headed to play at Brooklyn’s Bishop Loughlin. Palmer is about 6’2” 220lbs, plays the 1-4, and his game is ridiculous.

Coney Island’s Ethan Telfair. photo: Kyle Henry

Team Nike threw an air tight full court press at Juice and raced out to a 13-4 lead. Just when things looked like it was going to get ugly Juice’s LeBrent Walker showed up. They cut the lead to five at 31-26 at the end of the second quarter. The game was nip tuck the rest of the way with TN pulling out the victory and showing why they are the defending champs. Palmer led all scorers with a game-high 17. Derrick Cook and Ayodele Akinmola each finished with 14. Juice’s Leroy Fladd finished with a team high 14 in a losing effort, while LeBrent Walker and Shaquille Davis added 13 and 12 respectively. Conrad resumes play Saturday morning at 11am, with a live DJ and burgers and franks on the grill!

By Kyle Henry, contributions by Sean Couch and Randy Millard