Team 914 – HITS 2009 Champions
Photo: Casey Lee

Throwback varsity jackets
Photo: Casey Lee

(Sunday, August 16th) The championship day marked the 5th anniversary of the passing of Joe “Pops” Cruz. It was a memorable one as Pops 5 Legacy, a team created in honor of the Hoops in the Sun founder, took on Team 914 in the championship game at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. A moment of silence was held before the start of the game. People, hoop-heads and beach goers alike, took to the stands, along the sidelines, and by the main entrance for a packed game. MCs Bobby C and G-Stacks announced the commentary and in-game analysis of situations, players, and teams.

Bobby C
Photo: Casey Lee

G-Stacks
Photo: Casey Lee

From the tip-off, Team 914 played defense and broke a 6-2 deficit for a 9-6 lead as Pops 5 took a timeout to discuss the let down. James “Stixx” Williams, former Arkansas Razorback Garry Ervin, Steve Burtt Jr, and Keydren “Kiki” Clark filled the roster sheet for Pops 5 Legacy. They started out attacking the basket, compared to Team 914 who swung the ball around the perimeter for open shots. Team 914 grabbed 5 straight offensive rebounds at one point with the collapse of players to the basket upon a jumper.

Kirk Williams
Photo: Casey Lee

Early in the first quarter, Team 914 pounded the ball to Kyle Cuffe who forced his defenders into obtaining foul calls. Garry Ervin’s last attempt for the the first was no good as his team trailed 25-21.

Coach Sean Oliver watching Kyle Cuffe go inside
Photo: Casey Lee

In the start of the second quarter, both sides had scrambles back and forth for the ball with the hot sun upon them and the fans. By the six minute mark, Team 914 had built a commanding 40-25 lead due to defensive efforts. Ervin kept his team in the game with drives to the basket. The combo-guard duo of Jomo Belfour and Torey Thomas seemed to much for Ervin, Burtt, and Clark in the second quarter.

Torey Thomas
Photo: Casey Lee

Ervin played last season in the NBA Development League and Clark had a draft workout with the Boston Celtics. Kiki, the former Rice HS and St. Peter’s guard, finished his college career at number six on the NCAA all-time scoring leaders list.

Garry Ervin
Photo: Casey Lee

The matchup before the conclusion of the second half turned to Kyle Cuffe vs. John “The Franchise” Strickland in the paint. For Team 914, Jeff McDermott started to turn up the intensity as well. To prove how crazy the game was, Torey Thomas went to the rack but to no avail with 3.7 seconds but Steve Burtt Jr. rushed down the other end and hit a layup to cut the deficit to single digits at the half with Team 914 leading, 58-49.

Kyle Cuffe backing down The Franchise
Photo: Casey Lee

In the third quarter, Pops 5 turned the game around and LED THE GAME BY TEN POINTS with 2:16 and a score of 86-76. [I missed most of the third quarter because the legendary Pee Wee Kirkland was present with his family.] Getting back into the game, Pops 5 held its lead, despite defensive stops by Team 914. Steve Burtt Jr. made two consecutive layups for a double-digit edge but Ervin closed the third quarter with two free throws to close the gap, 92-82.

Pee Wee Kirkland, Mrs. Kirkland, & Children
Photo: Casey Lee

In the fourth quarter, emotions were high as as the refs gave out technical fouls like it was cake on your birthday! With ten minutes, Team 914 was down thirteen points and still puzzled by the comeback of Pops 5. Another guard-combo featuring Marvin McCullough and Aaron “The Problem” Williams forced turnovers and made key shots. In a matter of seconds, the Problem cut the deficit to 9 points, then 7 on a steal and layup on the ensuing play. Snatching a defensive rebound on the other end, Team 914 now only trailed by 5 on an easy layup.

Fans watching Marvin McCullough dribble up court
Photo: Casey Lee

The Problem became a dilemma for Pops 5 as Williams forced a charge call on his opponent and tied the game up at 100 with 7:45 left. Bringing the crowd to their feet, MC Bobby C announced this was the same team that was down 15 points once upon the game. The Franchise would not have it! The childhood friend of Jay-Z regained the lead for Pops 5 on two free throws.

Photo: Casey Lee

With 5:42 remaining in the game, the score was Team-914 108, Pops-5 102 with a timeout by Pops 5. A trifecta cut the lead to five. Team 914 refused to give-in! Kirk Williams came down and threw down a monster dunk and nailed the free throw to maintain the six point lead at the 4:40 mark.

Kirk Williams
Photo: Casey Lee

Offensively AND defensively: no one could stop the Problem! He lived at the charity stripe after getting foul calls on his drives straight to the basket. With 1:09 left in the game, Team 914 kept the lead, 119-111. Steve Burtt Jr. made one last effort with a move to the hoop. Team 914 answered right back. Ervin’s last three-point shot missed as it resembled Pops 5 attempt to stay in the game and came up short.

Final Score: Team-914 121, Pops-5 Legacy 113

Miles High
Photo: Casey Lee

Aaron Williams interviewed by (Bronx) News 12
Photo: Casey Lee

Photo: Casey Lee