Playing 21 at Mt. Morris Park

My fourth day in New York City (July 21th) was harder than I expected. I woke up early to attend to Bobbito Garcia’s “Anytime, Anyday” Work-out/Open Run at legendary Mt. Morris Park (120th St. and Madison Ave.). I met there with Bobbito, Jansy, Ballgurl, Roman and others guys (shout outs to everyone) who love ball as much as I do. We practiced several moves and shooting behind the 3-point line. At the end of the workout we played 21 and then one of the funniest stories in my trip happened: I was close to winning and was concentrating on the game. I just needed one more bucket and played hard D on the guy dribbling … when he showed me the rock I tried to steal it with a lot of energy and slapped his face TOO strong!! It was a mistake but everybody began to laugh and the game ended without any winner. (“Don’t worry. I’ll use the cell-phone with the other ear,” the guy said. So sorry man!) In that moment Bob gave me a new nickname: Antonio Gil a.k.a. “El Maton” (“The Bully”).

I came back to my hotel, then went to Tri-State Classic (145th St. with Lennox Ave.) and was lucky one more time because I could watch the return of Alimoe. I said hello to former Terror Squad coach “Mousey” (we were talking by Internet before my trip, but didn’t know in person yet) and then my man Sherman Wing (Inside Streetball) introduced me Alimoe a.k.a. “The Black Widow” and we were talking about his AND1 Mixtape World Tour trip to Spain a few years ago.

Alimoe at the foul line in a crowded Tri-State Classic game

First game was 84th Street against Diamond All Stars. It was a great game with two overtimes!! “Alimoe” hit 20+ and “Slick Rick” played so good with Steve “All Day All Night” Burtt Jr. supporting them off the bench, but Diamond won 108 to 102 with a good game by “Mookie,” “Murda,” and “Special K” (I didn’t know this kid –he’s 19- and I liked his skills a lot).

Before the second game, Sherman introduced me Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield and Quinton “T2” Hosley. T2 is going to play in Spain (Real Madrid) this season and Sherm talked to him about me and my work as a journalist in Madrid. We’re planning to meet when he’s there. Before I came back to my seat I met maybe the best NYC guard: Kareem “Best Kept Secret” Reid. I had e-mailed him some questions about four months ago to write a story in Gigantes Magazine and he remembered. We talked and took a photo together (maybe one of my favorite pics of the trip).

Big Game Reid and “El maton”

ED’s All Stars played against Dominican Power and it was supposed to be an interesting game. Raul hit 6 3’s for DP and “The Slasher” a.k.a. “30 guarantied” scored a lot too. But my favorite player of the game was “Chiquitin” a.k.a. “Jiggy Thing.” People said that he plays like a young Adris “Too Hard To Guard” DeLeon and I think it’s true. He didn’t hit a lot of points, but played entertainingly with a couple of spectacular moves.

Anyway, ED’s All Stars was too much for Dominican Power. Kenny Satterfield did a 3-point shot clinic and played better than the day before at H.I.T.S. “T2” showed the great player he is and former AND1 forward “Half Man Half Amazing” controlled the paint. ED’s won easy 104 to 97. After the game, Quinton Hosley introduced me his parents. I talked a long time with his dad, Ron “Terminator” Matthias, and Sherman about the game in particular and streetball in general. “Terminator” asked me for my contact because he wanted to have some connects in Spain, where his son is going to play.

Quinton “T2″ Hosley at Tri-State Classic

It was a great day and I was happy again, but didn’t like so much the idea of coming back home late by train… Finally I arrived safely and rested at home, trying to reload my batteries for the next day.

To be continued…