Full Blown Gang Warfare in Denning Park:

SHOTS FIRED!

From the back drop of ‘Black lives Matter’ and Black on Black’ crime burst a rainbow of colors into

Denning Park, Sunday, August 23rd at 1:30 pm. While remembering the past, the day prepared for the future earning a  4th Ward Gazette ’High Five’  to the Organizers of the Whip Whop 3rd Annual Basketball Tournament given in the name of a fallen soldier Keith Murray and in memory of Calvin Troy ’88’ Dixon.

Big props goes to Devon England (King Gardens), Stacey Pettie (Rock Creek & FPG), Quaheim Graham (Parkview) , Roy Theodore (Westside/Westmoor Gardens) and their volunteers for producing a real ‘old school’ Englewood Community event featuring Free Food, Free School Supplies for the kids and great basketball for everyone. A special salute goes to all those who attended the Denning Park event for being well behaved (not that anything less was expected) and their appreciative reception of the day.

The rainbow, Westside black, Rock Creek in gray, Parkview blue and King Garden in purple came together NOT on the street to fight, but on the court to crown the King of the Hood. Shots were fired!

Petties’ crew took the first shot. Led by Donald Hennie and Zak Anderson, the Creek game out firing with long 3’s and driving layups. Westside’s Jordan Theodore and the Mofananya brothers countered with their own barrage of spin moves and dunks. Round One went to Roy Theodore’s Westside team.

1. The Creek & West side Standing Together

Davon England and the defending champs KG were all over Graham’s Parkview team led by a penetrating point guard and long range boomer Brandon Alexander. But it was Aron Dorrell and Mike ‘Kool aid’ Thompsons crew that would move on to the Championship game.

The Championship game did not disappoint. Westside’s Malik Powell and Alvin Mofananya was the power in side with Naheim ’Fish’ Carter firing from the outside. But in the end, it was KG’s Leo Jones III (MVP) who pulled his team to victory with two contested 3 pointers. Dorrell, Powell and their crew took care of the rest.

2. KG Repeat Champions

When all was said and done, it was about Love, Basketball and Community. Remembering the past and preparing for the future. Thank you Whip Whop Tournament Organizers for showing us that ‘We All Can Get Along’…...

3. The Creek & Westside

(Photos courtesy of Gissele Bartley & Ricky H. Smith)

Written by Curtis E. Caviness