N.I.K.E. 1 poses following the victory. Photo: Kevin Couliau.

By Trevor Kapp

After Darren Phillip connected on a jumper with two minutes left in the Pro City championship between N.I.K.E. 1 and PDG Queensbridge, the former Fairfield star ran back on defense with one finger the air. DP was simply pointing out the obvious. After a one-year hiatus, N.I.K.E. 1 was once again #1.

Dean Murray’s team defeated 2008-champion PDG Queensbridge, 134-107, Thursday night, giving the team its fourth Pro City title in five years.

“At the end of the day this is the best tournament in New York City and we’re one of the best teams in the city year in and year out. We wanted this and we got it done,” Phillip said. Read More »

Mookie Thomas connects on a free-throw during the first half.

By Trevor Kapp

“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” was the perfect choice for music during halftime of the game between #4 N.I.K.E. 1 and #1 Dyckman. It was an old song for an old team with lyrics that couldn’t have captured the moment any better.

There really was no stopping the 37-year-old Junie Sanders, or 32-year-old Darren Phillip or 31-year-old Tyrone Grant as the veteran-led N.I.K.E. 1 held an unfathomable 35-point lead at recess, eventually defeating the younger Dyckman, 119-107. Read More »

Dyckman

By Jonathan Lopez

Dyckman saw its first round of playoff action last night as the Body Snatchers took on the Kingdome Ballers. It was lights out early on. Literally. The park lights went out and caused about a 10-minute delay shortly after the jumpball. That didn’t stop Kendel “World Premiere” Provet, who finished with 21, from shining though.

It was a back-and-forth game throughout with tough defense being played and a whole lotta dialogue between the teams. The Kingdome Ballers controlled the first half with a small six-point cushion. The score was 35-29 at the break and the playoff intensity spilled over to the second half. Every call was questioned, every foul, a little too aggressive. There was an extra bump after almost every play. Any comment from the crowd sparked a player or three on the court to respond, with comments and by stepping their game up on the court. Read More »

Donnie McGrath terrorized the United Brooklyn defense all night.

With about 2:30 left in the first quarter of the game between Dyckman and United Brooklyn at Pro City Thursday night, Dyckman guard Donnie McGrath dragged his pivot foot and was called for a walk. That was about the only thing the former Second-Team All Big East selection did wrong.

McGrath absolutely abused the nets for two hours, shooting 10-for-11 including 7-for-7 from behind the arc en route to 29 points in Dyckman’s 121-104 win over United Brooklyn. Read More »

The X-Men defeated PDG Queensbridge in the first game.

As Gold’s Gym center Gordy Malone turned to his team’s bench and shouted, “He can’t guard me. He too little,” in reference to N.I.K.E. 1’s Darren Phillip, DP just stood there with a big smile on his face. Malone’s words might have rattled a youngster, but Primal Fear is too experienced, too shrewd and far too talented. An hour and a half later, he would have the last laugh.

The former Fairfield star drilled a jumper from the left baseline with one minute remaining to give N.I.K.E. 1 a five-point lead and put the game out of reach.

DP finished with 21 points, and Nick Carter and Rob Lewin combined for 44 as the ’07 champs defeated Gold’s Gym, 131-124. Read More »