SE Washington, DC-  Pre 4th of July traffic was murderous around the city but at 5:30 the courtside seats were already spoken for as the Goodman Faithful began filing in steadily around 6:50 pm. The VIP sections were full as sounds of TI and Kanye West filled the air around the Barry Farms Housing Community.  It was a perfect day for basketball in the city to witness a pre 4th of July double header between the Funkhouse Mob and All Star Clothing in the first game, One Way Records and Shooters II in the second. 

In the first game, the Funkhouse team, comprised mostly off a contingent from the Congress Heights area,  jumped out to an early 9-0 over All Star Clothing.  Funkhouse's Rick, Kip and Cam helped their team stretch the lead to 17-5 at the 6:54 mark of the first half.  After Jeff's dunk for All Star Clothing closed the lead to 19-9, the momentum began to shift.  ASC guards Ryan Hughes (Mt. Vernon/Hampton U) and Jasper began to exert themselves and lead their team back into the game.  All Star Clothing also began to tighten up on the defensive end as Funkhouse went cold from the field.

The score was 22-16 Funkhouse at halftime but in the second half All Star Clothing closed the lead.  ASC started tightening up on defense while guard Jasper began aggressively driving the lane and hitting mid range jump shots.  All Star Clothing ties the game at 29 all at the 7:50 mark in the second half.

Both teams battle down to the wire as Kip for Funkhouse converts on a beautiful spin move to tie the game at 40-40 with about a minute left in regulation.  Funkhouse converts two free throws to go up 42-40 but Jasper calmly hits two free throws for ASC to tie the game at 42-42 with seconds left.   After getting the last possession of regulation,  ASC's Jasper misses the last minute attempt.

In overtime, both teams battle hard as Cam for Funkhouse gets a dunk and Kip converts on another beautiful spin move.  ASC's Jeff and Jasper both get buckets and knot the score at 46-46 with seconds left in OT.  Funkhouse's Reds misses a free throw to make the score 47-46.   ASC's Ryan Hughes then hits a leaning runner at the buzzer to win the game 48-47.

Ryan said after the game. "I felt the bump but the shot just went in."

The second game featured Shooters II versus One Way Records and on paper promised to be tough matchup.  One Way did have none other that Baby Shaq who tips the scales to victory no matter what team he suits up for.  One Way however suited up a young guard named Bobby Maze (Suitland High/Hutchinson JC/Tennessee).   Maze will play point guard for the Tennessee Volunteers next season and was named the 2008 Jayhawk Conference Western Division's Most Valuable Player. Smooth is the optimal word to describe Maze's game.  He's not as quick as D-Nice but doesn't seem to use as much energy and makes the game look easy like the great ones do.

Maze started off with a blaze for One Way. He led his team with two early buckets as One Way opened up a 12-5 lead over Shooters II.  The story of the first half and entire game was the smooth guard play of Bobby Maze and the wing play of Jamal (Ballou).  Both players played outstanding games for One Way who were winless coming into this game.

As a word of note Baby Shaq didn't have to exert much energy in the game at all until a brief flurry at around the 4 minute mark in the first half when a Shooters player tried to challenge him.  The brief exchange of words last about two minutes as Shaq hit a beautiful 20 foot step back jumper, a shot off the glass, and two free throws.  After that it was no talking.  Shaq basically cruised the rest of the game letting Maze, Jamal, and Chris Braswell (Georgetown) complete the job.

Bobby Maze, Jamal, Shaq & Chris Braswell broke the will of the Shooters team and opened up a 20 point lead before Miles called the contest.  The victory was the first of the year for One Way.

After the game Maze said, "I love coming here.  The Goodman League gives people a chance to showcase their talents plus I love to give back to the kids of the community."

Highlight Moves of the day:

The first game featuring Funkhouse and All Star Clothing.

ASC's guard Ryan Hughes (Mt.Vernon, VA, Hampton U.) missed an incredible right handed throw down over a Funkhouse player at the 7:23 mark of the first half.  Hughes was fouled on the play but his head was almost at rim level.

With less than 5 seconds left in overtime, Ryan Hughes hits a running jumper to win the game for All Star Clothing.

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