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More Photos are available in the PHOTO ALBUM: After a Fourth of July rain delay, games resumed on July 12th. This day was a perfect day for some serious hoop play, and no one was disappointed. We knew of some late team registrations, but some other teams showed up that totally surprised us. It didn’t matter we let them in. The more competition we have the better the tournament is. So Teams were registering all day and inserted into the schedule. Moose was juggling like crazy with the schedule, but in the end, a total of 14 games were in the books. WHEW! WHAT A DAY!! Here is what happened: 13-Under Division  So, as usual, the day began with the younger teams kicking off the first round of games. A new neighborhood team entered this week call DC Ballerz. They are a small but determined bunch of youth. I applaud them for their courage in facing the larger teams, Tyler House and MD Suns, but those games will not count. They are better matched up with Colors in the Junior division. So when you see the large difference in the scores you know why. There are a few more teams coming next week, so don’t worry, all teams will have equal competition. These kids had so much energy that we let them play 3 games, YES three games!! They all had fun. This is the first time in our 8 year history that we have such small competitors. It’s ok, we have already adjusted.
16-Under Division The first game put TylerHouse (gray) against 1st & O (white). The last time, this matchup was cancelled because The next game put a new team called the Stars (black), against True Ballerz (royal). Since the teams are so evenly matched in this division, another close game came out of this contest. Unfortunately for the second week in a row, True Ballerz suffered a heartbreak loss. They fought back from being down, but it still wasn’t enough as the Stars edged True Ballerz with a 31 – 26 Win. Make no mistake, True Ballerz has a lot of good players on their team, but they can’t wait until the second half to turn it on. They will only get better as the summer goes on. Look out for them to be there in the end. The most intense game of this division and the day came from Kenilworth (red) vs MD Suns (orange). What can I say about this game. It had all the intensity of a playoff game. This game was so intense that it tested the attitudes of some of the players, coaches, spectators, and even the Referees! Wait a minute, did I say it tested the referees? YES I did!!
One thing before I continue. Let’s not get it twisted, the game of Basketball is a competition that will test you and can bring out the best and worst in you!! As organizers, we know that the tensions will be high in this tournament. We are prepared to deal with it and teach the youth how to handle those situations when they get so frustrated that they want to go to blows. Conflict resolution is what we depend on our staff, coaches, Referees, and even the adult spectators to focus on. Youth will follow the lead of the adults, if the adults are in an uproar, then how can you expect the kids to act calm? It won’t work like that. It starts with the coaches and then the Referee is supposed to control the flow of the game to keep tensions in check. Well I will admit that our referees that was on this game, let things get to far and we had to rope it back in. Needless to say those referees will not ref another game in this tournament for not doing their job. Our tournament has a purpose. Not just to play games and pick a winner. The tournament is deeper than just the games. Anyone that has been around it can see that. For the new teams, just hang in there you will catch on. We do not tolerate any form of disrespectful behavior from anyone affiliated with this tournament. That includes players, coaches, spectators, and referees. Now that I said my piece, let’s get back to the game. This was a very good game nonetheless. The Suns came out and tried to establish authority, but Kenilworth met them blow for blow. One play that stood out was when a suns player received the ball in transition and leaped over a Kenilworth player to slam with on hand. This kid went up so high and at a wicked angle, I thought he was going to land on his head after the play. This had the whole park’s attention!! Kenilworth was not swayed by this and was able to narrowly escape with a 38 – 34 win. Despite the minor conflict with the sidelines and players, this was a good game. That is what we want. Some good competition!
19-Under Division The next game put a new team call Street Kings (Yellow) against DC Finest (Navy). I can’t lie, I love the name of Street Kings for a basketball team. That is HOT! Well for their first test, they played a DC Finest team that that had something to prove after that blowout loss last week. Well neither team disappointed us. They played tight defense throughout and each basket was hard to come by. DC finest went down again, but this time only by one point, 29-28. The Street Kings survived this one, but we will see if they can get through next week’s competition. It only gets harder from here. As for DC Finest, they have nothing to be ashamed of. They played an excellent game. 
Balla Holics (black) looks to be an early favorite in this division. They had a big win last week and looked poised throughout the game. This week they had a double header in front of them. Their first game put them against Tyler House (gray) (The game that was rained out last week). Tyler house did not have their star player, DT who was at a football camp out of town. They still gave Balla Holics a good run though. Balla Holics won this one 45 – 40, but you have to wonder what would have happened if Tyler House was at full strength. They will play again down the road so stay tuned. The second test for Balla Holics put them face to face with the furious long time competitor 3rd & P (orange). 3rd & P has been one of those teams that have been in our tournament every year for the past 8 years and have always been in the mix as one of the best teams out there. This was a very good game all the way to the last few seconds. A small blowout by 3rd & P player, Jeremy may have had a part in their demise. He is one of their best players along with Javon and Corey and must remain calm even when the calls aren’t going his way. When this team is calm and poised, they are unstoppable. Balla Holics were able to narrowly hold on to this one with a 44 – 43 win. Kudos goes out to the 3rd & P coach, Noodles. When his players were frustrated and making careless mistakes, he kept them calm and gave credit to the other team for giving them a good game. This is the type of attitude that we need out there on a weekly basis. THANKS NOODLES!! 
Unlimited Division The next game put the hot Nelly All-Stars (red) from last years final’s against an old favorite We R One (gray)Team. This game was extremely competitive. Both teams were not trying to give an inch. This game was so intense, that Commissioner Moose had to come out and work the clock. In the end, We R One pulled out the game by 4 points, 54 – 50. These two teams are one to watch in the next few weeks. The long anticipated game was the one that was rained out before it started last week, Young Gunners (sky blue) vs Team The final game of the day put the Young Gunners in their second game of the day. This time, they played a re-vamped favorite Green Light (Yellow) Team. Either Green Light was that good or Young Gunners ran out of bullets, because this game was no competition in the first half. Young Gunners made so many mistakes that it I lost count. Their legs were so tired that they were dragging themselves up and down the court. Maybe they should have sat out this one. They did get a second wind in the second half and made a very good run. In fact, they could have tied this game or even taken it if they used a little clock management down the stretch. They had 15 seconds left on the clock and down by 2, and were walking the ball up the court! Well they lost this one 56 – 54. I am sure that they would have done better if they had not played the earlier game. Either way Coach “Q” from Green Light gets his first win this year. I’m sure he’s not complaining!! |
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Week Recaps - 
of rain, but not today. This was a battle all the way through. Each team fought for every basket and had to earn each one. In the end, TylerHouse squeaked out a one point win (26 – 25).
202 (white). The young Team 202 asked for this game and wanted to prove that they could run with the big boys. Well be careful what you ask for. The coach was already in a neck brace before the game, he would need a stretcher after this beating. Team 202 started off with a quick jump, but couldn’t sustain it for long when Young Gunners got hot and started showing why they are the all time champs up at Colors. Renny hit 3 after 3 and there were so many easy lay-ups that they took control of this one very quickly. Young Gunners shot down Team 202 by a score of 50 – 43. It’s OK, Team 202 will be back next week with something to prove!!