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 »

By Trevor Kapp

After Andre Barrett hit a teammate with a no look pass that led to a dunk, #2 United Brooklyn coach James Ryan threw his hands in the air in triumph. The flush gave the team, who trailed by 10 at one point, a seven-point lead. But little did the coach know his boys were far from in the clear.

After being down by 12 entering the fourth, the #6 Usual Suspects cut the deficit to just four after Erving Brown drilled a three from the left wing with about 3:35 remaining. Brown then stole the inbounds pass and put in a lay-up to make it a 95-93 game.

With the Usual Suspects leading by three with 20 seconds left, UBK guard Gary Ervin connected on one of two free throws to make the score 104-102. The Suspects then threw away the inbounds pass and James “Stixx” Williams put in a running hook for UBK with about 11 seconds left to tie the game. Read More »

By Trevor Kapp

Over the next 14 days, some of NYC’s fiercest competitors will bring everything they have to the asphalt and hardwood with one ultimate goal: winning the Tournament of Champions. The defense will be tougher, the shooting deadlier and you can rest assured there will be dunks that leave you in disbelief. Expect confrontations with refs and altercations with opponents, and if trash talk and physical play aren’t your things, you might be best off staying home. This is about pride, passion and perseverance and two weeks from today, only one team will be left standing on 99th and Amsterdam.

To chronicle the playoffs, bouncemag.com is creating “Road to the T.O.C.,” a blog designed to provide you with everything you need to know about the players, coaches and teams from Dyckman, Pro City, Tri State and West 4th as they vie for that ultimate goal. We’ll be there for the overtimes, the upsets and the buzzer beaters, and you will be the first to know about how it all went down.

Get ready, NYC. It’s going to be an unforgettable two weeks. Read More »