Written by Wendall Stevens
The Goodman faithful came out Monday after another Sunday primetime washout to see one for the record books. If you have been a Goodman faithful and missed this game, shame on you. This was worthy of ESPN Classic. Shooters, protecting an undefeated record took on All Daz superstars Gilbert Arenas, Tre Kelley, Chuck, Trouble Smith, Donte Green and newcomer Wizards' guard DeShawn Stevenson. Brian (The Assassin) Chase was noticeably absent today for All Daz.
Undefeated Shooters, not to be outdone, brought stars of their own. Lonnie "L Train" Harrell, Andrew "The Sponge Bob" Washington, Easy E, Super Dave and Marquis rounded out the starting five.
DeShawn and Gilbert, two Southern California dudes, rolled up into the gates in Stevenson's creme Bentley Continental like the stars they are to a hardy welcome from the Goodman crowd. Nils Wadner co-owner of hoopmixtape.com was there. Kevin Holland, co founder of 3rd Eye Inc. was courtside with his partner Rasheed taking in the action.
You could feel it in the air as a standing room only crowd in the BF Coliseum witnessed arguably the best game ever in Goodman League history. The crowd was hyped as DJ Stormin Norman once again went about his business in workmanlike fashion.
Let's get to the action. Tipoff was 7:51 pm on a hot, muggy night in the gates. Miles Rawls called the play by play and this is how the classic unfolded.
Super Dave and Big Baby each exchanged put backs in the very early going. Chuck from All Daz went coast to coast for two followed by a Super Dave bucket. Big Baby made another put back but Easy E with that blinding speed took it straight to the house. All Daz took a slight lead on Tre Kelley's put back to make it 11-7.
Shooters L Train scored on a left hand jump hook followed by two Sponge Bob free throws. Big Baby hit another jump hook followed by Chuck of All Daz free throw. This made the score 17-15 All Daz.
Then Tre took over. All Daz was without the services of Kelley last week in their loss to 3rd Eye. Kelley who just recently signed a contract to play in Croatia played like a man possessed. The best way I can describe Kelley's skills is a sheer "feel" for the basket. It's incredible to watch. Kelley has this patented move similar to Trouble Smith in that he drives to the basket and releases this teardrop shot over the arms of the defender's right before they can block the rotation of the shot. His release is consistent with similar results, a bucket. Kelley is very athletic for a man about 6'0. Kelley had a few dunks in this game today. I'll see him on an NBA roster soon.
Kelley reeled off a teardrop, shake and bake assist to D Stevenson, a put back dunk and a runner off the glass to open up a 23-15 lead for All Daz. Gil got a free throw and Kelley converted two more buckets to make the score 28-16 All Daz. Stevenson got a dunk to open up the lead to 30-18 All Daz. It looked like a possible easy day for Gil and the boys.
Shooters dug down and began to claw their way back into the game. Sponge Bob and Easy E began to take over for Shooters. Sponge Bob got an alley-oop dunk to cut the score to 61-58 All Daz with 1:44 left on the clock. The halftime score was 68-64 after a Sponge Bob free throw.
The second half was the L Train show. The Shooter wingman reeled off three straight long three pointers over D Stevenson to put his team on top 78-75. Stevenson not to be outdone hit a jumper of his own. Sponge Bob got hot for Shooters and muscled in close to the basket on power drives to the basket for layups and dunks. Shooters began to open up a lead 95-84 with 9:20 remaining.
Gil turned on the jets for All Daz as he constantly drove to the basket. Gil had a beautiful coast to coast in and out dribble drive to bring the score to 102-94 with eight minutes left in regulation. L Train for Shooters and Kelley for All Daz lit it up. Stevenson and Kelley brought All Daz back to tie the score at 122 with a second left. Sponge Bob for Shooters hit two free throws to sent the game into overtime at 125-125.
Each team battled into not one, but three overtime periods as fatigue began to set in for both teams. Kelley hit a free throw in the fourth OT with seconds left to win this marathon of a basketball game. The final score was 149-147 All Daz.
Easy E and L Train of Shooters each scored over 35. It would take a book to describe the intensity of L Train going against Stevenson. It would take an article to describe Easy E's speed. Trouble Smith didn't get a lot of playing action tonight.
Watch out for Donte Green who plays for Syracuse next year. He will be a monster in a few years. Gil and DeShawn? Hey Gil is looking faster and faster and Stevenson can do what he wants.
After the game Kevin Holland of 3rd Eye Lissen said, "This is the best game ever."
DeShawn Stevenson said after the game "It was a special feeling. I loved it. I loved the atmosphere, the people and it was great to give back."
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