A few weeks ago I stopped by the Block Loyalty tournament on 139th & Lenox. I didn’t see any big sponsorship banners or a capacity crowd, but that surprised me because what I did see was a whole lotta talent. None other than pointGod Shamgod was leading the way for Harlem’s Finest Entertainment (HFE) with handle so crazy that his defenders played him from 15 ft away. And that didn’t keep Sham’ from getting to the cup to cash in deuce after deuce or earn frequent trips to the charity stripe, he finished with 24 points. William “Rice” Pratt dropped 25 to lead the way for HFE. Rice tossed the ball off the backboard, behind a defender, and rose with the trees for a banger that would’ve sent everyone home. Unfortunately, he didn’t flush the dunk, but the attempt was worthy of props.
Mike Wilson, aka “Mousey the Magician,” and AJ aka “The Young One” carried team PPG for a close-but-no-cigar effort against HFE; they finished with 18 and 16 points respectively. Mousey pulled his usual disappearing acts, eluding defenders and igniting the crowd. HFE improved to 4-0 with a 75-64 final.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
that court on 139th and lenox has a ton, i mean a ton, of history. it was recently renovated. the court used to be north-south, it’s now east-west. it also was the home to the EBC before the league moved to Rucker Park circa ‘87. Whitney M. Young, Chick’s All-Stars, LA All-Stars, and other classic tournaments of the ’80s all called crowds to that spot. artie green to ali moe, even dominique wilkins showed up to judge a dunk contest once. 139th will rise again, i’m glad to hear they’re doing something with it again. it’s been a minute.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
moe sinatra says:
Im the coach of team ppg and id like everyone to know that on saturday sept 6th well be playin HFE for the tourny championship should be a goody
September 18th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Omega "MegaMan" Milton says:
wonderful piece Jon you shot another swish my dude. Eaze
October 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
R.E. says:
La Salle Academy’s in the building. Gett’em Sham