Steve Burtt. Jr., seen here after a game at Tri State last summer, led Gold’s Gym to victory. Photo: Sean Couch.
After confusion and conflict, uncertainty and unrest, another summer of Nike Pro City began Thursday night at its same location with the same tournament organizers patrolling the sidelines and the same marquee talent getting after it on the court. The rumors of the tournament no longer being sponsored by Nike: false. The speculation that games wouldn’t be played at Hunter College: false. The talk that there would be no league at all: just that. Arguably the best tournament in the city is back, and if Thursday night’s action was any indication of what this season will hold, we’re in for another great summer at 68th and Lexington.
Gold’s Gym vs. Dyckman
In Thursday’s first game, a newly-loaded Gold’s Gym squad, which, in addition to the veteran John “The Franchise” Strickland, now features Steve “All Day All Night” Burtt Jr., former Georgetown Hoyas guard Jessie Sapp and Mike “Optimus Prime” Glover, among others, jumped out to a 54-40 halftime lead behind the inside presence of Strickland.
Gold’s Gym extended that lead to 82-62 after the third and looked to be on its way to an easy W. But former Michigan standout J.C. Mathis and David Capers took over the game for Dyckman as the guys in orange went on a 29-11 run over the next 7:50 to pull within two.
After a Gold Gym’s timeout, Burtt Jr. isolated himself on the left side and spun home a tough lay-up with his right hand for a badly needed GG bucket. Former Hofstra guard Norman Richardson then came down and missed a long jumper for Dyckman, and Burtt Jr. drilled a 15-footer on the other end to put Gold Gym’s back up by six with 3 minutes to play. Dyckman never got any closer and GG held on for a 107-100 win.
Six Gold’s Gym players scored in double figures, led by Burtt Jr.’s 22. Glover added 20.
Mathis dropped 22 for Dyckman.
PDG Queensbridge vs. Prime Time
In the second game, a rematch of last year’s Pro City championship, Sundiata Gaines and Miguel “Miles High” Millien combined for 28 first-half points as Prime Time knocked off defending champion PDG Queensbridge, 115-111.
QB was playing without Ron Artest and Darryl “Showtime” Hill, and Prime Time without Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield.
Pro City continues Tuesday with Dyckman taking on the Uptowners. Action is set for 6:30 p.m.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Marc P says:
Man I cant believe I missed the first game. Much props and I cant wait till Tuesday. QB will be aight if Ron and Show come back.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Brooklyn says:
The games was hot last nite at pro-city and primetime
looks like there ready too do big things with the
problem child back and is the teacher playing with
this yr there stacked!
June 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
TP says:
Anybody know the name of Golds Gym coach?The guy was at least 7′2.Just wondering if he played somewhere or something
June 20th, 2009 at 11:45 am
funkalot says:
The pic of Steve Burtt, JR raises the question for me, of who are the greatest playground Father/Child (son or daughter)combinations.
You have the Burtts, Ron Matthias (Terminator) and Son (Quentin Hosley – T2), Linwood Vaughn (Predator) and daughter Kia Vaughn (she of Rutger’s fame, come to mind easily. However, can anyone name other playgound family pairs?
June 20th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Trevor Kapp says:
funaklot- check out this piece ali wrote trying to answer that same question last year. http://www.bouncemag.com/2008/09/12/playground-basketball-best-father-and-son-combinations-streetball-legends-alejandro-ali-danois/.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Seldom Seen says:
My favorite tournament…looking forward to catching some of the games again this summer…please keep us posted
June 21st, 2009 at 1:48 am
Peter Robert Casey says:
Is there a schedule online for Pro City?
June 21st, 2009 at 11:02 am
eyez says:
This Tues(6/23) 6:30 Dyckman vs. Uptowners/ 8:30 X-Men vs United Brooklyn
Thursday(6/25) 6:30 N.I.K.E. 1 vs PDG Queensbridge/ 8:30 Gold’s Gym vs Primetime.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
the 7′2″ coach of gold’s gym is my man andre reyes. he played overseas and i think pro in puerto rico as well (he’s boricua), but i forget which college he played for. good shooter, real cool dude.
eyes, where are you finding the schedule?
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
gee says:
Big Dre’ (Gold’s Gym Coach) started @ University of Maryland,was there with Len Bias,then transferred to California after Bob Wade took over for Lefty Driessel. Damn trivial pursuit memory of mine,lol!!!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Trevor Kapp says:
i have the pro city schedule. i’ll post it tom. or weds.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
sure says:
@Trevor Kapp
If possible could you post all the schedules you have. I think people would be interested and be more inclined to come out & support. Pleasseee!!. I only have Hunter’s & West 4th. We need Dyckman,H.I.T.S,Watson,Tri-State and every other major summer tournament going on.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
raymond says:
@sure the HITS schedule is on their website but i know they’re changing it due to the weather that’s been going on…http://hoopsinthesun.net/schedules2009.htm
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
M Will says:
Dre went to Maryland, but was not there with Bias. He then transferred to Cal.