photo: Erin Edwards
New York City is the home of summer outdoor ball. There are several strong tournaments in New York – Gun Hill, Hoops in the Sun, Watson, Together We Chill, EBC, Kingdome, and others. Many long time tournament watchers would like to see all of them compete.
“Is this really the tournament of champions?” questioned NYC Pro/Am ref Eric Weaver. “This is only Nike sponsored tournaments. We’re missing EBC, Watson, there’s other major tournaments that have champions.” Read More »
2009 Finals MVP: Yatta Gaines Photo: Casey Lee
2009 EBC Champions: Prime Time Photo: Casey Lee
(Monday, August 17th) There was standing room only, and the park was filled to capacity for the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) 2009 Men’s Unlimited Championship. Jadakiss was in attendance to watch his crew, Team 914, with half of Westchester County!
Packed crowd Photo: Casey Lee
Coaches also were found everyone–Rah (Sean Bell All-Stars), Dee (Team Cam’ron), and even [Queens] Cardozo HS own Ron Naclerio–to peep Team 914 and Prime Time battle for first place and bragging rights.
Ron Naclerio (left) talking with James Ryan (right) Photo: Casey Lee
The first half was filled with defensive intensity. Both teams went back and forth as the score was tied up at halftime, leaving a question mark as to who would dominate the second half. Read More »
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. Read More »
Photo: Casey Lee
James Ryan’s Prime Time has battled to the EBC Finals 2009 by defeating top seeded in their division Angie Martinez, 91-80 thanks to patience and a supporting cast of players, while Coach Sean Oliver’s Team 914 survived a triple-overtime thriller against Hustle Hard (aka Brooklyn’s X-Men) and a close ten point victory over Coach Rah’s Sean Bell All-Stars at Gauchos Gym in the Bronx.
Photo: Casey Lee
Both teams had contrasting seasons as Team 914 claimed the best record in the regular season compared to Prime Time’s sub-.500 record. Miguel “Miles High” Milien and Yatta Gaines lead the way for Prime Time versus a stacked Team 914 with Torey “Stix” Thomas, Aaron “The Problem” Williams, former Providence guard Donnie McGrath, and St. John’s alum big man Kyle Cuffe to name a few.
Photo: Casey Lee
So, who take the chip tonight at 8:00pm tonight? The patient team with role players or the squad that rolls deep? It should be exciting as both sides play hard-nosed defense in addition to high-energy offense.
Get your seat early as security will be tight and seats will be limited!
Photo: Casey Lee
(Wednesday, August 5th) AH-HAA! Rapper Jadakiss, who hails from Yonkers, NY, was in the park to support his squad – Team 914 – as they squared off in the night cap against the defending EBC champions – Sean Bell All-Stars in a game taped on MSG-TV with a packed crowd. Team 914 jumped out the gate and Read More »
(Monday, July 13th) Undefeated Angie Martinez All-Stars faced off against James Ryan’s Prime Time squad in the first game of the week. It came down to a defensive battle as Anthony “Africa” Pimble was held to takeoff at half-court. Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” Deleon came out hitting shot after shot and looking like his typical scoring-self. He finished with 22 points as Angie Martinez’s All-Stars held onto an 8-point halftime lead and Read More »
The Semi-Automatic: Jay Williams
The Semi-Automatic - The Takeover's 55, 5 and 5
LIVE NOW. TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED!
THE AIR JORDAN 2010 - I'm got.
The Dunk - Rider on the Storm 
40 Cal
Ali
Antonio Gil a.k.a. SoSe
Ballgurl
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love
Bounce
Casey Lee
Daniele Vecchi a.k.a. Baby Face
Eric Newman
Gerald Narciso
Jeremy Hartman
Jeremy Ripley a.k.a. Cheesecake
Jon Lopez
Jordan Hagedorn
Justin
Kevin Couliau
Kondo Moussa
Kyle Henry
LeKeith Taylor
Lower East Scribe
No Mustard
Peter Robert Casey
Ramon Diaz
Randy Millard
Ren Hsieh
Risse AKA 'Town Biz
Ruben Filipy Alcaraz
Sean Couch
Steve Kluback
Steve Lee
Stoneface
Trevor Kapp
Want a free copy of Bounce Magazine? Click HERE to find the Bounce box NYC locations, all conveniently at the top playgrounds!
Subscribe to Bounce for only $10!
Click here to subscribe.
Dimemag.com Feed
