Uptown Challenge vs. West 4th
Under the blazing mid-day sun, the women kicked off championship Saturday with perhaps the most physical battle of the day. Without standouts Kia Vaughn (Rutgers), Epiphanny Price (Rutgers) and Erica Morrow (Syracuse) because of NCAA regulations, West 4th looked lost at the start of the game. Uptown rode the strong post play of Lilka Cedars (13 points), as she tallied six of her squad’s first eight points. And former Kent State Golden Flash Cherise George (14 points) slashed through the D, getting to the cup almost at will.
But West 4th turned up the intensity, as their press created turnovers and opened an opportunity to get back in the game. As soon as they were in it, they blew it open. Former Ohio State Buckeye Lawanda Green (12 points) hit some clutch jumpers, swinging the momentum for West 4th. Danyel Critcher’s smooth lefty jumper off the glass was nearly unstoppable, as the majority of her 15 points came after the half. In the end, West 4th walked comfortably to the ‘chip 89-76.
Semi-final one: QB vs. Money Train
For the first time all summer, Ron Artest wasn’t wearing the Jordan 23’s that have pounded the asphalt all over New York. Because of a fluid buildup in his knee, “Tru Warier” was relegated to Queensbridge’s bench, and his squad had to deal with Money Train’s top-notch backcourt of Jason “J-Hi” McLeish and Antawn “Anti-Freeze” Dobie without him.
QB’s Jarrid Frye had to step in for Ron-Ron, assuming the tough defensive assignment of Corey “The Undertaker” Underwood. From the jump, Frye couldn’t do anything about Corey’s lefty baby hook from the block. He was killing it from the same spot on the floor. But the game went back and forth – with 25 lead changes during the first half – as Darryl “Showtime” Hill skated through Money Train’s D making it resemble a lay up line. “The Janitor” was face-guarding Showtime to no avail.
Eventually Money Train’s backcourt took the game over, as Anti-Freeze and J-Hi were taking turns giving QB fits. Freeze’s 23-foot trey with just over six minutes left gave Money Train a 93-86 lead, enough to break it open. Dobie (44 points) and J-Hi (31) combined for 75, while Showtime led QB with 28. With a 113-102 win, Money Train advanced to the ‘chip.
Semi-final two: Bingo’s vs. X-Men
Goat Park was in stitches from the moment the Bingo’s All-Stars (representing Dyckman) vs. X-Men (representing West 4th) game started, as Tri-State emcee Joe Pope showcased why he is one of the best on the mic in NYC. The man Pope calls “I Robot 2,” Mike Glover (32 points), made it look easy in the early-going for Bingo’s as Mike “The King of New York” Campbell struggled to get his usually automatic jumper going.
John “The Only Man Still With an S-Curl” Strickland (14 points) was also busting his rear end on the block for Bingo’s. But X-Men’s big three of Campbell (26 points), Raphael “Daywalker” Edwards (20 points) and Tommie “Guns” Eddie (23 points) played picturesque team basketball to turn this contest into a blowout. At one point Edwards rattled off six straight points on tough takes in transition.
Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield tried to bring Bingo’s back on his own, but even his five three’s (24 points) couldn’t make up the difference. X-Men came away with this one 108-94.
Championship Game: X-Men vs. Money Train
Plain and simple, this was one of the greatest battles in New York City basketball history. After Antwan “Anti-Freeze” Dobie left his Money Train squad at halftime of the inaugural TOC game last year to go overseas for his season in Turkey, he came out against X-Men determined to make up for last year’s shortcomings.
The game was deadlocked at the beginning as Corey “The Undertaker” Underwood and Tommie “Guns” Eddie went bucket-for-bucket early on. But some physical play and tough whistles changed the face of the game, as Jason “J-Hi” McLeish got hit in the face on a scrap and lost his cool with one of the officials. It might have been a quick trigger – but nonetheless, the ref hit J-Hi with quick T, and then followed it up by throwing him out of the game.
Without his offense, who was going to step in for Money Train? Rice high schooler Durand Scott got some burn, and fit in with the rest of the system well. But Anti-Freeze didn’t need any help that night. He became Train’s first, second and third options on offense, drilling deep treys and then blowing by defenders when they tried to step out on him.
Anti-Freeze’s exploits forced X-Men to switch into a zone. Mike “The King of New York” Campbell’s length at the top of the zone forced Dobie to pass up shots, thereby creating an opening for X-Men to narrow the small margin. But Dobie wouldn’t be stopped. He sunk clutch shots from way out, slapping himself on the back as to say “I’m gonna do this on my own!”
Mike Campbell (22 points) wouldn’t go quietly. He attacked the tin viciously, drawing foul after foul. Tommie “Guns” Eddie (15 points) hit a ridiculous step-back 27-footer, and Gary Plummer (18 points) also sunk a clutch corner trey to swing the momentum in X-Men’s favor. X-Men made their trips to the stripe worthwhile, while Money Train couldn’t put MC’s crew away.
With the sun tucked away behind the buildings and Despite Anti-Freeze’s legendary 44-point outing (matching his total from game one), X-Men outlasted Money Train in overtime and did just enough to storm center court and earn the title of ’08 New York City Champions, 97-94.
Contributed by Andrew Katz
August 25th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
funkalot says:
First, props to Bob for putting me and my boy, Joey Almeida, down with RSVP, good looks! We trooped from Beantown, to peep this classic.
Second, thanks to Nike and the other sponsors, for creating a one of a kind atmosphere. In these lean times, you had the nerve to pass out free food. Y’all had people hankering like they was in line for “gov’ment butta and brick chesse”. Plus, you gave them psychedelic icees and sodas(posing as mini beer bootles). My “swole” (belly) was well nourished.
Third, the games were terrific, albeit initially disappointing since the college kids couldn’t run. I had fun listening to the game MC’s, especially Pope, who has a nerve to crack looking like a burnt Star Wars extra and the DJ, was fly too.
Fourth, the mens games were cool and “Antifreeze” is cold, his performance in the TOC is one of the greatest performances in the annals of streetball. He might be the “real king of New York”. But the Kids game was bananas, as well. They go hard, at each other, yet have nothing but love for each other, in the end.
Listen, wise guys, I want to propose a “Beantown/Big Apple Throwdown”, where we would bring our best Mens, Womens, Prep and Middle Schoolers to face your best.
Are you game?
“out on three wings, extra fly!!!”
August 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Cherise says:
Yo this game was official unfortunately the score didnt reflect that but I was privileged to be apart of it though..and im even more excited to get a shoutout lol im receiving mad love from the bloggers on here and its truly appreciated. Also, I want to see the article or write up you have on me whether its published or not im mad hype lol
August 26th, 2008 at 12:02 am
mikey says:
boston’s best streetballer is demetris nichols lol. dont even waste our time wit challenging us on nay level.we are the mecca.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:24 am
funkalot says:
The Gauchos got thumped twice by the BABC (Boston Amateur Basketball Club) this summer, on the senior level AAU.
One of our teams won the 15 and under National AAU Boys Basketball Championship in Orlando and with Stevie Hailey (Boston College) Will Blaylock (Iowa State, Detroit Pistons), Courtney Sims (Michigan, Indiana Pacers), Torrin Francis (Notre Dame, Overseas), Antonio Anderson (Memphis), Jeff Adrien (UCONN), Mike Jones ( Maryland, Overseas) and others we have enough, besides Demetrius. “Ask about us”!
August 26th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Vern says:
It’s seems to me that Bingo All-Stars thought we would fold and back down to them. Let’s stop talking about what their players did in the past, what about now. The only players who showed up was Strick, and Mike Glover. Kenny thought he would get the best of my boy Greg Plummer but who got who? Instead of calling Kenny Satterfield “Serious Satellite”, how about Kenny “Frustrated and Done Satellite” Satterfield. Don’t get mad son, get even on the court. Real player’s don’t lose their cool in big games especially in blowouts. SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF BROOKLYN, XMEN FOR LIFE. P.S. I know that everyone wanted an Uptown or Bronx team to win but maybe next year.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Boo says:
Funkalot,
The 2000 15 and under AAU Nationals were won by the New York Gauchos. It was in Tennesee, not Orlando, I know cause I was on the bench!
The BABC team that your suggesting beat us at the 15u nationals actually beat us at the 16 and under nationals in Detroit. That was the first time I saw Blaylock and Hailey and they were the only team that had a back court even comparable to us.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
sal c says:
fantastic event, better than last year. great job by nike, bounce mag,bobbito and all the ballers, my son and i enjoyed the entire day. special shout out to justin leonard for the hookup. great to see everybody come together in peace and love with bball the glue. mike campbell is the player of the year in my book every year. he does everything well and more importantly knows when to use each of his skills. ironic that the least flashy team on the day won it with great basketball iq. that being said for pure entertainment nobdy tops antawn dobie. all the ballers should thank the lord he is not 4 inches taller. already looking forward to next year.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
BallGurl says:
The inaugural W.4th vs. Uptown game was great success. I feel that it def. added flavor to the tournament. Also, with this game and the prep game, the T.O.C is truly all inclusive of NYC’s best talents be they men, women, or teens.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Sean Couch says:
Funkalot:
See my blog titled McMurdo on my feelings about anti-freeze and how serious he is. Dobie is also featured in our current Bounce.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Allstarz says:
Great event!!! I came all the way from south jersey to check this one out. I only got to watch 1 mens game but it was good. I saw the game where ron artest was on the bench. Showtime was nice, it seemed like he shouldve taken it over at the end of the game. THere was this guy on the other team who had a nassssty jumper. It was a good game overall, and the event was run really well…free food, free icees cant complain.
Oh yea The girls championship was ok to. the all american was nice.
I took a few pictures of the 1st mens game from the stands, if anybody wants them let me know.
allstarzdesign@yahoo.com
http://www.allstarzdesign.com
August 27th, 2008 at 8:44 am
funkalot says:
Sean,
Henry (Antawn) AKA -Antifreeze, the Teacher Dobie definitely fits the McMurdo Effect perfectly and the Bounce issue piece was nice, too.
My question is how does a kid with this much talent fall under the radar, as a senior at McClancy? Who were the other standout guards in NYC, at the time? Did he receive any other offers from higher profile schools? And even though he is 28 or 29 years old, he is capable of playing in the D-League, with a possible call-up, in the right situation.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Russ M. says:
In the D-league he would only get paid a fraction of what he’s making overseas. The NBDL might get you a few looks by the NBA, but you can’t feed a family (which he has) with what they pay.