Smiling faces and high fives were shared by all at the Great Lawn basketball courts in Central Park.
The Jerry “Ice” McCullough Sports Education and Arts Foundation presented the Battle of the Boroughs High School Basketball Challenge on Saturday, August 8. It is an event in which the top ranked high school stars are selected by the best high school coaches around the state and asked to represent their borough in an all-out competitive tournament.
McCullough, a young and enthusiastic supporter of the sport, and former Pittsburgh University basketball star, gathered them all together and ran the event with his brother, Marvin.
Along with the battle of the boroughs, there was also a pre-event. The City Legendz Sports Education Arts Foundation 13-and-under youth clinic got the chance to perform for an audience and display their polished “skills and drills.”
“The most rewarding thing about this event is seeing these younger kids shine and get a chance to watch older kids perform at an almost professional level,” said McCullough.
The 13 and under kids, who came from all over N.Y., played their hearts out for their families and the older generation of rising basketball stars who were gearing up to steal the show.
The Queens team, who sported their crimson jerseys, was coached by Cory Sempter, the head coach of the men’s varsity team at Bayside High School. Their competitors were the Brooklyn squad, who wore navy jerseys.
“This is a great event to show the talents of these young athletes,” said Sempter as he was prepping his Queens team of ten for a tough game with layup lines and passing drills.
“It feels good to play in an event like this,” said Timothy Johnson, who plays for the Springfield Gardens High School men’s varsity team. “It’s a big chance to prove that I’m an elite player,” added the forward.
With determination in their eyes and their shoe laces tied tight, the Queens team stepped onto the court and opened up the game with a scoring assault in the first 20 minute half. Quick fast breaks and flashy passes excited the crowd as the kids from Queens put on a show.
With a swift steal and an easy layup by the point guard of the Queens team at the whistle, they were up 27-26 at the half.
After thoroughly hydrating and scouting out the game plan for the second half, the two teams shuffled back on the court with hopes of shutting down each other’s game plan. Poor shooting and careless turnovers were the demise of the Brooklyn team in the second half.
The final seconds of the game ticked off the clock and the Queens team held the ball as they were soon to be the victors. A dominating performance in the second half lead to the 57-46 final score.
Friendly hand shakes for a great game were in order and the teams’ players and coaches congratulated each other.
McCullough and his program coordinators thanked everyone for supporting the event and the crowd dispersed from the dawn-lit basketball courts.
The Jerry “Ice” McCullough Sports Education and Arts Foundation help kids understand the fundamentals of the game along with providing friendly activities for the youth. Growing more and more each year, the organization will be a staple of the community for years to come.
“These kids put on a good show and it was great for them to showcase their skills for the younger ones, who need to have positive role models,” said McCullough. “They weren’t watching 48-year-olds play out here … they got a chance to see kids who were right above them in skill level.”
