Mookie taking a free-throw at the Cage. Photo: Trevor Kapp

West 4th

The match-up Sunday at West 4th (3rd St., 6th Ave.) between John “Mookie” Thomas of Diamond and Speedy Williams of United Brooklyn was expected to be one of the better point guard battles of the summer. The game was also being played to decide who would get the final playoff spot in the East Division.

The veteran guards started off solid, but not spectacular, scoring seven first-half points a piece, looking to facilitate rather than score as Diamond took a 32-24 lead into the break. U.B.K. cut the deficit to just two after the third behind the post-play of John “The Franchise” Strickland, who scored 14 points for the game, and James “Stixx” Williams, who finished with 13.

With just ten minutes remaining in one of these team’s seasons and win or go home clearly on these players’ minds, the fourth quarter turned into an absolute delight to watch. With the game tied at 77 with 17 seconds left, U.B.K. inexplicably fouled Mookie, who finished with a game-high 30 points, on a ticky-tack reach-in to send the former St. Francis College guard to the line. Mookie calmly sank both freebies to give Diamond a two-point lead. U.B.K. called a timeout to advance the ball to mid-court, but threw the ball away on the ensuing play and Diamond escaped with an 81-77 victory.

“This team is one team,” Mookie said after the game. “This game was just who was gonna get the break at the end and we got the break.”

The playoffs at West 4th are scheduled to start Thursday at 6:00 p.m. as Ryan “Special FX” Williams and Darren “Primal Fear” Phillip will lead Money Train against Aquawasi “Q” St. Hillaire’s T.A. Express.

Speedy Williams at the Cage. Photo: Trevor Kapp

In game two at the Cage Pick & Roll just needed a win over Money Inc. to join Young Money Train as the only unbeaten teams heading into this week’s playoffs.

Up 22-9 after the first quarter, Pick & Roll, which handed Money Train its first L of the season Friday, blew what had all the makings of a blowout and dropped one they should have had, 97-86 in overtime.

Money Inc. rallied in the fourth quarter behind Dominic Jones’ game-high 22 points and Rob Lewin’s 21 to take a 72-70 lead with 3:50 left in the contest. Up 83-80 with nine seconds left in regulation, Money Inc. opted not to foul, which gave Pick & Roll a chance to attempt a last-second three. P & R’s Nesto Giscombe, who was the best player on the floor at times and scored 21 points for the game, made the guys in green pay. Giscombe bombed in a trey at the buzzer to tie the game at 83 and send it to overtime. But instead of being phased, Money Inc. came out poised to begin the extra session and controlled the tempo right from the tip. Money Inc. scored the first seven points of overtime and never looked back, perhaps bringing P & R back to reality.

Both teams will be in the playoffs, which are scheduled to start Thursday with Money Train taking on T.A. Express at 6:00 p.m.

Dyckman

Joe Cruz Jr. brought a young HITS team to play against the Dyckman All-Stars Friday night at Dyckman Park. McDonald’s All-American Kemba Walker, Dwight Hardy, and the Cab Driver formed a dynamic three-guard attack. Both Walker and the Cab Driver have pro-type games and although Walker is the more-hyped player, the Cab Driver is legit. The announcing was on point with Dyckman’s announcer repping his all-star’s while Bounce contributor and Hoops in the Sun play-by-play man Bobby C repped the HITS All-Stars. Their contrasting styles was entertaining and the crowd was into the game.

Baby Shaq performed well for the Dyckman All-Star’s. He is an underrated performer on the playground. Standing at 6’3” and weighing in at about 260lbs, his girth clears space for short backboard jumpers and strong up and under moves. It would be something to see him go at it with Bounce Cover #12 subject Nate Minoy from Chicago who has the same height and weight. Mike “Mousey the Magician” Wilson has developed into one of the playgrounds best ball handlers. His cross-over game is ill, and his handle is violent going straight on the run to the rack.

Overseas vet John “Franchise” Strickland made the Dyckman All-Star team and performed his trademark “and-1 dance” that makes him one of the most memorable and solid showmen in modern playground basketball history. His interaction with the crowd is always respectful and playful. It’s time for Strickland to get his due with some sort of lifetime achievement on the playground award.

Contributed by Sean Couch and Trevor Kapp