Ballin' In West

I promised my self I'll put up this post before going to bed today. As you might know, I'm in Sekondi-Takoradi to cover the 9th Ghana Polytechnic Sports Association(GHAPSA) basketball for @ReboundGH. This is about my third visit to the Western region but I've not really had the opportunity to play ball on the soil of the now Oil City. The opportunity came this afternoon when a couple of the T'di Poly basketball team guys planned to take a drive down to St. John's School to watch/play pickup. I quickly accepted the offer to join the trip.

Meanwhile, I had already spotted the St. John's court because of location on the drive from Sekondi to Takoradi; it's located close to the entrance and front fence of the school. About 10minutes of driving and alas here we were. Even though we were a bit late(by standards of other places I've played), we were right in time for formation of teams for the full court game to 7 runs.

I must say I was impressed with the level of organisation in the Sekondi game and hope it's the same throughout the region.
The rules were simple;
• Full court, game to 7(2's and 3's counted) or team with higher points at the end of 5 minutes stayed.
• Winner stays so far as they keep winning.
• Team fouls are kept and teams get to take free throws after opposing teams had accumulated 5 team fouls.(this obviously kept the fouling and aggression level of the game quite decent, I must confess)

The St. John's court is what is often described as the typical pickup basketball court scene. Almost all the needed characters were present;
• The senior citizen who has once had game but has been slowed down by age was present doing more talking than playing.
• That guy who has the horrible shooting form but is the most prolific 3 point shooter on the court was present jacking up shots at will.
• The unanimous best player was present and this kid was legit, can actually handle the ball to save his life and dish out the assist right when you needed it( I know because I was in his team ), kid has a decent stroke too.
• The macho man who is all muscle and looks like he has the strength of Hercules but misses the simplest, easiest and closest of shots too often was there too.
• The kid with the fancy NBA gear but not the game to back it was there, he actually came late! He was rocking a Miami Heat jersey and Adizero 1,5's I think(in red patent leather)

There's no denial I had fun playing here apart from the fact that I got tired a bit too early. That aside, I'll definitely go by any time I'm in town... 
I finally balled in the West! 

PS: All photos taken with an iPhone

VIDEO: Pick-up Basketball at Central Courts, Accra

Last Thursday was one of 'em days a brother gets to the court but is too tired to put up with the hustle of the game and just decides to sit and and watch. So I took a few vids with my BB, not the best though but enjoy!

(Re)Birth Of Pick up Ball

If you know me, by now you should know that I'm a big basketball buff. 

Thursdays are the days that this court gets the most numbers but Fridays are supposed to be our celebrity appearance day with not so many guys present at the Central courts at the ICGC church in Abossey Okine. Yesterday we were disappointed. The celebs didn't show up!. Ohhhh! Lil Shaker, Rumor and their Accra High ballers crew, thank you for not coming and you MutomboDaPoet too(I know say you no sheda wey you brown we...lol). But like the old folks always said; everything happens for a reason. 

sorry for the blurry pic(took it with my phone), but that was coach playing some defense on Jeremiah's shot attempt

What was nearly turning out to be a boring 2 on 2 day quickly evolved into one fine 3 on 3 NYC kinda ball game. I saw yesterday as the birth if not the rebirth of pick up basketball proper on the soil of that facility. I bet you, you wouldn't wanna miss a Friday again on that court if you know what basketball is all about; love, toughness, team work and fun.

I've played a lot memorable games in my life but yesterday was a day me and all the other ballers present on that court will not easily forget about. Stories of it will be told in years to come.

We played pick up how it was supposed to be played. I could be wrong but per the definitions, trailers and stories we've heard from my big brother baller pal Bobbito Garcia and his Doin' It In The Park, NYC documentary crew I know I'm right. The rules were simple; PLAY HARD OR SHUT AND GO HOME, NO BLOOD NO FOUL, FOULS ONLY CALLED IF IT HAD A DIRECT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE FLOW OF THE GAME OR A PLAYER'S WELL BEING.

I pray and wish this culture spreads to all other courts in our city with time.

shouts outs to all the guys that go out hard everyday and play their hearts out from courts way up in Tamale right down to the courts by the sea in Cape Coast; my Accra city blues crew, my team fufu family, my Gbawe flight brothers, Ksi social club/ Tech/ Evandy crews...the list can go on all day.

Y'all just keep playing ball, for this game is for people who really give a damn about it!