Joseph Staszewski

Joseph Staszewski

Staszewski's observations from Operation Athlete Team Shootout

August 29, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

A busy week of football practices ended with basketball. I made the trip to the Wayne PAL Sports Complex in New Jersey for the first-ever Operation Athlete Team Shootout run by Bishop Ford girls... Read on

A busy week of football practices ended with basketball.
	 
I made the trip to the Wayne PAL Sports Complex in New Jersey for the first-ever Operation Athlete Team Shootout run by Bishop Ford girls basketball coach Mike Toro. It also seemed like the first time Exodus was playing in the New York metro area after crisscrossing the country in what coach Apache Paschall called a “broken down” bus.
	 
Taylor Ford was as active as ever, Lisa Blair looked much improved, Bra’Shey Ali was still causing problems with her length and Nazareth teammate Brianna Sidney displayed a smooth stroke. The player I was the most eager to watch was the soon-to-be Nazareth point guard Bianca Cuevas.
	 
The guard had been playing with Paschall’s top team for the last two summers and will need to be a major contributor for the Lady Kingsmen next season. Cuevas was impressive. She was better as a creator then a scorer because of the talent around her, but did flash a beautiful spin move in a lane for a layup that drew a few ohs and ahs from the crowd.
	 
“If she was a junior in high school right now she would be one of the top guards in New York City hands down,” Paschall said. … “With her it is going to be learning the little things that are going to decide a ball game.”
	 
Many of his older girls are getting looks from some of the nation’s top programs. Forward Tiffany Jones has interest from Syracuse, Memphis, Florida State and North Carolina. Ford, who will attend a prep school next season, has UNC, Syracuse, Memphis, Baylor and Texas. Ali has been offered by South Carolina, Rutgers and George Washington and Sidney has been offered by Georgetown and has a host of other Big East schools interested.
	 
One person I didn’t expect to see was Moore Catholic rising senior Alex Salaycik playing for the South Jersey Blitz. The forward battled injuries to both ankles last season that limited her playing time down the stretch. She looks much more mobile Saturday and knocked down a few jumpers. Salaycik, who is getting Division II and III looks, is still not at 100 percent and going to therapy for her ankles.
	 
“I want to come back a new person,” she said.
	 
It was also my first summer look at Bishop Kearney’s Sam Retas, Taylor Raccuglia and Jaclyn Grasso. Retas stole the show with a 28-point, five 3-pointer performance and Grasso was solid as usual. Raccuglia flashed some fine defensive ability to block, challenge and change shots.
	 
“There is no doubt about it, with her frame and her long arms she just gets her hands in the way there is no doubt about it,” Kearney coach Rocco Sellitto said.
	 
What also wasn’t in doubt was the quality of the food at the PAL. At the behest of Toro, I split fries, chicken fingers and wings with intrepid photographer Damion Reid. All three were crispy and delicious and everything coming out of the kitchen smelled great. Even the ice cream cones looked Dairy Queen-commercial perfect. After we were done, Damion even complemented the staff.
	 
Someone deserving some kudos is Toro. Operation Athlete is his new endeavor and his first big event went off without a hitch. He had quality teams, quality games and a quality facility. He's hoping to expand the two-day event it in the future and possibly add middle school teams.
	 
“We are trying to get all the top teams in New York and New Jersey in the same event,” Toro said. “That’s one of the hardest thing to do is to get the top teams together. We are hoping all the teams that were in the event this year spread the word.”
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Staszewski's football camp word play

August 27, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

This week started two-a-day practices for this reporter as well as the high school football teams across New York City. I spent the last three days visiting various practices across the five boroughs. With school also just around the corner, I felt it was only fitting to place a little word association with each of the visited squads.
	 
Fist pump – Cardinal Hayes:That’s what junior quarterback Ryan Camilo was giving after each completed pass at practice. There could be plenty of chances for those this season with the quality hands on wide receivers Abraham Ocasio and Jonell Garcia.
	 
Energy – Christ the King: That’s what new defensive coordinator Scott Ishii, who pervious coached in Ohio, brought to practice Wednesday. He was sweating in the sun demonstrating corrections to the Royals tackling. He should add smarts to the unit.
	 
Bright future – Bishop Ford:Sure the Falcons have some quality seniors, but they are also a team building for the seasons to come around sophomore quarterback Xavier Mitchell and junior running back Devonte Mitchell.
	 
Swagger – Mount St. Michael: Quarterback Jaylen Amaker gave off the confidence of a leader. There was a smile and certainty which came with every answer about his team and the season. The senior already stated he wants the ball in his hands when a big play needs to be made.
	 
Speedy – Xaverian:If there was high school football version of Madden 11, you would want to be playing with the Xaverian offense because there is plenty of potential for touchdown dances and Xbox gamer points. At first glance sophomore receiver Kendall Thomas deserves his "speedy" nickname because his long strides allow him to cover ground quickly.
	 
Where’s the beef? – St. Peter’s: The Eagles lost of ton of skill position players, but may have one of the best lines in the CHSFL AA/A division led by left tackle John Rudder. Eagles coach Mike Cosentino took great joy in pointing out each of its members, who for the most part are in the 250-pound range, during stretching.
	 
Remember – Moore Catholic: Less than a year ago the Mavericks saw junior wide receiver Johnny Ray die in a car crash. All the players said his memory is with them every day. Coach Greg Rocco had his picture up in his office and the school will formally remember Ray at Homecoming on Oct. 23.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Streetball summer was one to remember

August 24, 2010 , ι By JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

So it was Freeze City after all. Heading into August Antawn (Anti-Freeze) Dobie pledged to freeze New York City during the hot summer month in his quest for streetball hardware. He spoke of wanting... Read on

So it was Freeze City after all.
	 
Heading into August Antawn (Anti-Freeze) Dobie pledged to freeze New York City during the hot summer month in his quest for streetball hardware. He spoke of wanting to be the last man standing, and there he was Saturday night at Gauchos Gym with two golden basketballs in hand. Dobie was named the Nike Player of the Summer and the MVP of Bingo’s All-Stars Tournament of Champions victory.
	 
Freeze City, indeed.
	 
That was just one of the many moments I will remember from this summer created by the gifted players I watched on countless nights and weekend afternoons. I also had the pleasure of interviewing a number of current and former NBA stars, including Darryl Dawkins, Ron Artest, Joakim Noah and Danny Green and a streetball legend in Joe (The Destroyer) Hammond.
	 
Two players I am looking forward to watching outside of the streetball circuit are Mike Glover and Scott Machado, who will be at Iona together this winter. The inside-out duo were the best I saw playing separately. I can only imagine what they will do in the MAAC with new coach Tim Cluess. Machado is a pass-first point guard with a budding long-range jumper while Glover is a freakishly athletic inside scorer who cleans up the glass.
	 
I didn’t get to see a lot of Team 914, considered by many during the summer as the best team in the city. They looked dominate in a semifinal win at EBC Rucker, but when the chips were down they didn’t get it done and were absent from the Tournament of Champions. Team 914 fell in the semifinals of Hoops in the Sun, and the EBC and Dyckman finals. Aaron (The Problem) Williams and Kyle Cuffe and Co. will have plenty of time to dissect what happened.
	 
So Adris (2 Hard 2 Guard) DeLeon didn’t get his rematch with Brandon Jennings after the Milwaukee Bucks guard got the better of him earlier this summer. Jennings was recently quoted as saying that he would consider coming back next year. DeLeon, a dribbling wizard, wants the game to take place on his home court of Dyckman. Expect cars to be quadruple-parked if that happens.
	 
Speaking of missed opportunities, Nike Pro City champion Gold’s Gym didn’t get in invite to the Tournament of Champions because the league is played indoors at Baruch College. I understand the reasoning behind that and the complication of having a five-team tournament. But I sure would have like to have seen Andre Barrett, Dobie, Mark McCarroll, Rashad Bell, Michael Wright, Torin Francis and B.J. McFarland lace up their sneakers together one more time and be joined by John (The Franchise) Strickland on the sideline.
	 
Instead, it was Bingo’s All-Stars earning their first TOC crown. The grin on Anthony Glover's facee s the big fella hoisted up the trophy and showed it off to the crowd put a cap to a summer of satisfaction and one of many memories.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Staszewski's observations from St. John's team camp

August 16, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Consider Sunday my earlier Labor Day.For me the girls basketball team camp at St. John’s University has signaled the impending end of summer the last two years. High-school football camps open next... Read on

Consider Sunday my earlier Labor Day.
	 
For me the girls basketball team camp at St. John’s University has signaled the impending end of summer the last two years. High-school football camps open next week, but for one last day I get to enjoy not worrying about the outcome and every detail of the game. If the day wasn’t a reminder enough, St. John’s showed off the air conditioner in its state-of-the-art Taffner Field house, leaving many looking for blankets and sweatshirts. My recommendation was SJU Snuggies
	 
But seriously, the day is a great chance to visit the old stomping grounds and get an early look at this season’s talent and how they interact with their high-school teams. I left with plenty of observations and impressions to run through my head until November.
	 
Here are a few:
	 
-- Bishop Ford’s backcourt can be scary good. Anjali Moncrieffe, Diani Mason, Shanice Vaughan and Aaliyah Lewis will give coach Mike Toro plenty of options and plenty of combinations to play around with. None of them are particularly tall, but they showed a chemistry and ability to get up and down the floor in transition that certainly looked better than you'd expect in August. Ford was 3-1 in its four games over two days.
	 
-- The player Toro has been most pleased with is junior forward Brittany Lewis. The Falcons will need more from her during her third season on the varsity. Over the two-day camp she has been more active on the boards, looking to attack the basket more and is in better shape after working with renowned basketball trainer Jerry Powell. Toro said she is turning her game upside down. After a rebound and put back assistant coach Mary Gillespie turned to the bench and said, “That’s the Brittany we need this year.”
	 
-- Consider Bishop Loughlin a program building from the ground up in its second season back in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. New coach Kasim Alston doesn’t have a lot of veteran talent, but has plenty of the up-and-coming variety to go with his daughter Aliyah. Sophomore Imani Tate was the most impressive. She was active, all over the floor and plays bigger than her 5-foot-6 frame. Chelsea Gibson was slashing to the basket and displayed a solid jumper. The Lions played right with Jersey teams Trenton Catholic and Gill St. Bernard.
	 
-- One former Lions' fate is still up in the air as far as her health and school goes. Tayshana (Chicken) Murphy, who transferred to St. Michael Academy last winter, hurt her knee playing for her short-handed former team and Alston, her godfather, Saturday. He said the highly touted guard has yet to get an MRI and has not decided where she will be playing next season.
	 
-- Tom Catalanotto has a good problem, one his players will either make easy or hard for him. Neither outcome is a bad one. The Archbishop Molloy coach has quite the collection of developing talent that just lacks varsity experience. Sophomore guard Alexa (Weasel) Dietrich has the potential to be a star next to classmate Amani Tatum for the next three years. They, along with sophomore forwards Dallas Pralle, Carolyn Gallagher and guard Kamille Ejerta, all have a chance to earn playing time along with seniors Marissa Puzino, Elizabeth (Gurt) Lynch and Angela Contorno. If a clear cut few emerges it will relieve Catalanotto of the job of juggling all those pieces.
	 
-- The day had a bit of a reunion feel. I saw St. John’s coach Kim Barnes Arico, who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since her first season in Jamaica, and former Mary Louis star Amanda Burakoski. I also got a look at former St. Michael Academy standout Allysia Rohlehr playing with St. John the Baptist. It may be a new team, but it’s the same old deadly jumper for Rohlehr. At first glance, this might be coach Ted Oberg’s most athletic team. St. Anthony's, who was also at the event, will also be a legit Class AA contender this season.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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CK's Smith picks Virginia

August 12, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Bria Smith will be taking her talents to the University of Virginia next season, the Christ the King guard told The Post, after verbally committing this afternoon. The rising senior chose the school... Read on

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World Basketball Festival, Battle of the Boroughs highlight weekend

August 10, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

If you are a basketball fan, then this weekend is for you. It’s a perfect time, with football season right around the corner, to put the Knicks and Nets out of your mind and enjoy the type of basketball that made New York City the sports mecca on so many levels for so many years.
	 
It all gets started Friday afternoon at Rucker Park in Harlem with the World Basketball Festival, which includes the Battle of Boroughs semifinals starting at 3 p.m. Four teams made up of some of the best high school ballers in the city will grace the floor at the cathedral of street hoops. That will be followed by a game featuring a select group of NYC high school stars against a team from China.
	 
Brooklyn plays The Bronx and then Manhattan takes on Queens. Oak Hill star Sidiki Johnson, Boys & Girls guard Mike Taylor and Christ the King’s Corey Edwards highlight the New York City All-Star team. There was massive construction going on at Rucker on Monday night as they added extra seating to accommodate the expected crowd. The tournament final is 4:45 p.m. on Saturday back at Rucker.
	 
If you haven’t gotten your basketball fix by then, after the final head down the Harlem River Drive to 145th and Lenox for the final four of the Tri-State Classic beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tournament director Antonio (Mousey) Carela likely will do the same if the Manhattan club he's coaching makes it to Saturday. At Tri-State, Ooh-Way meets Team 914 and defending champion Money Train takes on upstart Silver. Head back Sunday to catch the final. Dyckman will also have playoff games starting at 5 p.m. in the other direction on the Harlem River Drive.
	 
Not to forget the early bird this weekend, Hoops in the Sun will also be up to its semifinals this weekend at Orchard Beach in The Bronx. So if you're looking to maintain your tan heading into September and want to catch some quality hoops courtesy of Joe and Randy Cruz, pack the cooler and hit the beach for two games starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. The HITS final is Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
	 
Like my New York Post brethren, I will be crisscrossing the city this weekend. Hope to so you out there.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Staszewski's streetball odyssey

August 07, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

The night was a success because it didn’t end in a ticket. It started with a trip to the Tri-State Classic, where I thought I’d be watching the final day of the regular season, but was instead... Read on

The night was a success because it didn’t end in a ticket.
	 
It started with a trip to the Tri-State Classic, where I thought I’d be watching the final day of the regular season, but was instead treated to an intra-squad scrimmage among the Manhattan high-school all-star team as it prepares for next weekend’s Battle of the Boroughs. The game provided my first look at the highly recruited Angel Nunez, who I have read so much about on this site.
	 
The Notre Dame Prep forward didn’t disappoint and I can see why he has a laundry list of major Division I schools hot on his trail. There is smoothness to his game. He can shoot the jumper, attack the rim off the dribble and block shots and rebound with his long arms. During his interview, Nunez was in a hurry to leave 145th Street and Lenox Avenue and catch up with Oak Hill’s Sidiki Johnson, but I didn’t know why.
	 
Little did I know we were making the same trip.
	 
With my appetite for true streetball still not satisfied I made the long six-minute trek up the Harlem River Drive to Dyckman to join colleague Marc Raimondi and intrepid photographer Damion Reid. In order to avoid looking for parking among the double- and triple-parked cars for hours, I left it in a no-standing zone two blocks away with my fingers crossed.
	 
When I made my way to the court, who else would I see, but Johnson, who played in a high-school division game, and Nunez competing in a pro/college all-star game for Dyckman Select against Team Providence. He shot me a quick smile and a puzzled looked when he saw me under the basket.

Damion ReidAnthony Pimble throws down a dunk with authority.

Dyckman, in my two trips there, has not disappointed in providing all the things that make streetball great and Anthony (Africa) Pimble is one. The athletic 6-foot-6 swingman put on an aerial display that would have made General Patton stand up and salute. Each of his six monstrous dunks shook the rims from their supports more than then next. There was a vicious windmill, a poster-style stuff right on a Team Providence defender that drew the fans onto the court. Then he added a between-the-legs slam to give him 23 points and cap Dyckman Select's win.
	 
Famed emcee Joe Pope took the mic in the second half and should have been on stage at Dangerfield’s with all the jokes and wisecracks he was firing out. He told one Team Providence member that Pimble could dunk on him so hard it would put his name on his shirt.
	 
None of that could take way from the star power and energy provided by Adris (2 Hard 2 Guard) DeLeon, the court’s Frank Sinatra with a basketball, always making beautiful music. Their favorite son brought the crowd to his feet each time the ball made contact with is finger tips. Though DeLeon’s scoring touch took time to come out he still turned a bounced ball over a defender’s head into a pass, showed the ball to a defender and made it disappear in a split second and was Pimble’s distributor for many of his power dunks.
	 
When it was over I made the trip back to my car with a different feeling of anticipation, one of potential dread and despair of the inevitable sight of an orange ticket on my windshield. It was an image thankfully that never came to fruition.
	 
Success.
	 
jstaszeski@nypost.com

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Stars provide memorable night at Dyckman

July 31, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Dyckman Park can grow on you.My first after trip there didn’t start well. I drove around in circles trying to find it and then spent approximately 40 minutes looking for parking before finding a spot... Read on

Dyckman Park can grow on you.
	 
My first after trip there didn’t start well. I drove around in circles trying to find it and then spent approximately 40 minutes looking for parking before finding a spot on West 211 Street with the park on West 204.
	 
Cars were double parked in front of other vehicles parked horizontally under the No. 1 train by the park. But by the night’s end and into the early morning I couldn’t help but get swept up in the league’s charm, talent and passion.
	 
Dyckman was packed already and the first game was almost halftime. I watched games from behind a railing, sitting on the concrete sideline and standing behind rows of fans on the corner of the court. I was asked multiple times if I was a scout.
	 
There were so many people there that kids were climbing the fences to see the action and one of the steps on the bleaches broke during the anticipated nightcap between Bingo’s All-Stars and Da Young Ones. You also couldn’t help but pick up the delicious scent of the curbside café turning out hot dogs, sausages and shish kabobs.
	 
Then there was the basketball. Oh, the basketball.
	 
There was a cavalcade of stars on display. It started with formers St. Raymond standouts Louis McCroskey and Ricky Torres, then former NBA player Kenny Satterfield and Arizona recruit Sidiki Johnson. The nightcap could have been a streetball All-Star game. Lincoln legend Sebastian Telfair put on a Bingo’s All-Star’s jersey along with former Rice star Keydren Clark, St. John’s alum Anthony Glover and his younger brother Mike, who is headed to Iona College.
	 
On the other side you had former Louisville and Rice guard Edgar Sosa, Adris (2 Hard 2 Guard) DeLeon, and John (The Franchise) Strickland. If Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Smush Parker and Andre Barrett were there, you’d really have a NYC basketball party.
	 
The crowd was into every play of the finale, watching Clark bury 3-pointers, Sosa attack the rim and DeLeon, who scored 22 second-half points, make Telfair look just plain silly at times. There were, "oohs" and "aahs" and plenty of fans on the court.
	 
One corner was completely covered in people, including me. The ball was taken out in front of the crowd and not behind the out-of-bounds line. But that’s part of the joy of streetball.
	 
You never know what to expect.. Well except for tough parking, great food and even better basketball. I'll leave earlier next time to devour it all.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Staszewski's observations from the Rose Summer Classic

July 30, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Following a week vacation, I was told numerous times it was back to reality. Reality was spending a day at the steamy Lombardi Center fieldhouse at Fordham University for the Rose Summer Classic.
	 
It was a nine-hour binge of girls basketball to comfort my withdrawal from missing the Nike/USJN National Championship in Washington D.C. last week.
	 
While downing three bottles of water and a Gatorade throughout the day, I immersed myself in the action on four different courts for an afternoon of rising stars.
	 
I saw Molloy guard Amani Tatum for the first time this summer. The rising sophomore is getting used to the role of point guard, yet still showed off her explosiveness to the basket.
	 
Speaking of young guards, Mary Louis rising sophomore guard Jasmine Nwajei suited up for the Long Island Lightning, with her primary AAU team Positive Direction not in the event. She was impressive to watch, a bundle of raw talent and energy. She stood out most on the defensive end with her willingness to guard and get in the passing lines.
	 
A few veteran guards also impressed. Even though she doesn’t always enjoy the comparison, Brooklyn Collegate rising junior Emonni Cropper reminded me of her older sister Alicia, who is now at Providence College. She drove fluidly and hard to the rim, tucking the ball in her arms to fend off defenders. Cropper rebounded well also, getting second-chance points and showed off an improved jump shot.
	 
Medgar Evers’ Ashley Castle, a senior next season, made ferocious drives to the hoop all afternoon. Cardinal Spellman is going to be a big problem next season if senior point guard Tia Scott played like she did in three wins for New Heights White. She controlled the game in every way on the offense end and showed off her accurate 3-point stroke.
	 
A quick look back to the future as Aliyah Jones suited up for Team CEO in their final game of the day. She is the daughter of Rick (Slick) Jones, the girls JV coach at Bishop Ford, where she will be a freshman this year. While her ball handling still needs some work, Jones has long arms to get in the passing lanes and showed off a solid jumper. She will join a program chock full of quality guards.
	 
There were plenty of big girls who impressed also.
	 
I got to watch New Heights and Wings forward Rykema Stone two weeks ago at Kean University, but she was even more impressive in her team’s bracket final win. The senior attacked the glass and made a dazzling shot falling down along the left side.
	 
A name not many people might be familiar with is Richard Green’s Karrin Walker. The 5-foot-9 forward went to the basket strong from the low blocks and wasn’t afraid of contact playing for the Long Island Lightning. She averaged 13.3 points per game and 9.7 rebounds in PSAL Class B last season. Staying in that league, 5-foot-11 Morrisania forward Ogechukwu Uwanaka, who will be a junior, turned a few heads. The athletic underclassman averaged 15.2 points and 11.4 rebounds a year ago.
	 
Here are a few quick notes:
	 
-- Rose Classic co-founder Anton Marchand and his staff did an excellent job with the event despite the air conditioner malfunctioning. For the most part, the games ran on time and they had a solid roster of talent.
	 
-- I love that New Heights brought down kids from its youth summer camp all dressed in red, white and blue to be its team’s cheerleaders for the day. Many of the campers knew the players by name. It certainly helped as both squads reached the finals in their respective brackets.
	 
-- Two players not from New York City worth mentioning is New Heights Blue’s Sade King and New Milford’s Samantha Defreese. The 5-foot Mount Vernon junior guard is a killer outside shooter and was dominating New Heights’ semifinal game before tweaking her ankle. The athletic 6-foot-1 DeFreese, a senior, had 15 points for the Lightning in its bracket final win.
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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Streetball like it ought to be at Tri-State Classic

July 18, 2010 , ι JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

It all came down to what the standing-room only and star-studded crowd came to see: A-Butta vs. The Executioner.Sure, Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest had just tied the score with a 3-point play... Read on

It all came down to what the standing-room only and star-studded crowd came to see: A-Butta vs. The Executioner.
	 
Sure, Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest had just tied the score with a 3-point play on the other end, but it was New Jersey’s Melvin “The Executioner” Creddle with the ball in his hand guarded by Harlem’s Adrian “A-Butta” Walton with the final 25 seconds ticking off the clock at the Tri-State Classic in Harlem Saturday night. Walton had called out Creddle and his Ooh-Way team two weeks ago after a game.
	 
“Me and A-Butta had something personal,” Creddle said. “It was Harlem versus New Jersey. When you are beefing with somebody, you come here and you handle it.”
	 
He drove with the fans moving from the opposite baseline to halfcourt, nearly filling it up. Creddle was double teamed, almost stripped, but got a shot off that rimmed off. Somehow, teammate Rob Lewin swooped in for a weak side put back at the buzzer. It gave Ooh-Way a thrilling, 62-60 win over Most Hasted.
	 
“I had to try to create an opportunity for my team to win,” Lewin said. “I was just trying to position myself to at least get a tap. So that’s what I did.”
	 
What he also did was give Creddle, who scored all 13 of his points in the first half, unquestioned bragging rights over Walton, who tallied just three and saw limited action in the second half. Adris (2 Hard 2 Guard) DeLeon added 11 for Ooh-Way, Artest had 10 points and Jomo Belfor added seven.
	 
“We came out here and knuckled up,” Creddle said. “I came out on top.”
	 
Added Lewin, “That’s what everybody wanted, to see a good game and see who was going to be a better guard. Clearly Mel was the better guard.”
	 
All those in attendance were the real winners. They saw streetball at its finest. There was a title fight feel to the night, more of one in the WWF of the 1980s than in boxing or the UFC. There is a showmanship and must-see feel involved with streetball when it’s at its best and there was plenty of that.
	 
Creddle quietly arrived early at just before 8:00 p.m. as Walton made the fans wait. His entrance was well worth it. He arrived followed by his young daughter driving a Power Wheels version of a pink Cadillac Escalade. She even stopped to wave to the fans before parking it in the corner next to the Most Hated bench. Artest walked in just before game time, slowing making his way from his black SUV with Tri-State announcer 40 Cal yelling, “I see gold” in reference to the Queensbridge native’s recent NBA title.
	 
“This is how it’s supposed to be,” Artest said of the energy and fierce competition.
	 
You could have formed some team just from the players in the crowd. Ooh-Way nearly gave Corey (Homicide) Williams a uniform. Darren “Primal Fear” Phillip was there, waving a shirt with every big play. Kareem (The Best Keep Secret) Reid, former St. John’s star Reggie Jessie and John (The Franchise) Strickland were also all in attendance. Heck even famed coach Bing Cole and Hoops in the Sun CEO Joe Cruz were there along with streetball legend Joe (The Destroyer) Hammond. If you wanted to round out the coaching staff throw in Anwar Gladden and Kasim Alston, respectively the South Shore and Bishop Loughlin girls basketball head men.
	 
The crowd was on the court, in the bleachers, up against the fence and standing on the park benches. One of the running jokes from the Tri-State announcers was that they didn’t need football players to fill the park. On Monday, the Entertainers Basketball Classic at Rucker Park had a game featuring NFL star wide receivers Chad Ochocinco, who coached, and Terrell Owens, who played. This was billed as pure basketball-- two players settling a dispute the old-fashioned way on the blacktop.
	 
“It was nothing like this,” tournament director Antonio (Mousey) Carela said. “This is what streetball is right here.”
	 
jstaszewski@nypost.com

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About the Author

JOSEPH STASZEWSKI Joseph Staszewski is a graduate of St. Francis Prep, who earned his BS in journalism at St. John’s University. Before recently being hired by the New York Post, he freelanced for the TimesLedger Newspapers and worked at Newsday for more than two years. He was Newsday’s high-school boys’ soccer, indoor track and boys’ lacrosse beat writer. Staszewski has covered high-school and college sports for seven years and was one of the co-founders of FiveBoroSports.com, which covered local sports in New York City extensively on a daily basis. The former varsity basketball player at St. Francis Prep has coached hoops at the CYO, AAU and high-school level.

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