Rain Doesn't Change the Game

Another exciting day at the EBC tournament was on its way and the stands were packed. Announcer Al Cash was checking out the crowd to find the perfect candidate for “Makeover Tuesdays,” in which they pick out a not so well dressed fan to be made over by the EBC team. It didn’t take long before he spotted a young gentleman who was compared to a bum on the train. As the crowd roared with laughter the man was taken to the VIP area with hope that some magic could be worked on his poor attire. 

The kids game took place and two teams of 14 and under players battled it out for the fans. There was definitely some future EBC stars on the court. To keep with the trend of showcasing young talent, after the kids game was over, a dance group made up of three middle school boys took center court. Their name was “Magic Freestyle” and these boys from Brussels, Belgium had some truly magical moves. They incorporated basketballs into their choreographed performance, wowing the crowds with their in sync crossovers to the beat of a hip-hop mix tape. 

The crowd was waiting to see how the makeover turned out so Al Cash brought Mr. Bum back onto the court. He was looking fresh with his new cut and clothes. Thanks to Omavi Clothing and RbK, his new tee and kicks were anything but bummy.

Game one began as the clouds started to roll in. Terror Squad was in the house to try to redeem themselves after their loss to Black Wall Street last week. Taking on Dezert Heat, they hoped to show why they had won the championship the past three years. The first half was close, “Best Kept Secret” and “Hi-Five” were working hard for the Terror Squad team but “I’ll be Right Back” and “The Future” weren’t letting them win easy. Rain sent the game to Gaucho’s Gym in the Bronx at halftime and if you think that means less fans and classic EBC energy your wrong. The gym was packed and the second half was under way. Dezert Heat put up a good fight but as soon as the dynamic duo of Hi-Five and Best Kept Secret really got going, it was over. Terror Squad took the lead and Dezert Heat couldn’t catch them. The game ended with beating Dezert Heat 104 to 95. 

The second game was also jam packed with excitement as EBC fan favorites Bone Collector and Homicide began to warm up with their team, Don Diva. They were taking on BMF who has the Pharmacist as its EBC legend. There was quite a match up between the Pharmacist’s quick hands and Bone Collector’s quick first step, which is said to be the quickest in basketball. The crowd was “Ooh and Ahhing” with expectation of what one of them would do to try to school the other. The fans loved Homicide too. Every time he dribbled down the court they went nuts. He has become one of the fan’s favorite to watch and really knows how to put on a show. The game was close, both teams battling hard back and forth. Bone Collector was taking BMF to the grave, making it look so easy. As the game came to an end, the crowd was waiting for the pharmacist’s last prescription as BMF struggled to close Don Diva’s lead. Unfortunately his skills were just not enough and Don Diva won 89 to 71.

Make sure you come through to the rest of this week’s games cause its gonna be bananas, regardless of the weather. For all of you that don’t know, Wednesday is EBC’s “Icy White Wednesdays” so you better not come to the stands unless you’re looking fresh in a new white tee. 

--Sarah Parker