Lifes a Beach

Dateline November 2006-Virginia Beach, Va.- I just got into a fight with a dog on the side of a bus! I’m a veteran world traveler. Once again, I was doing pretty good, I boxed out hard and got a seat by the window. I was on my way to Va, The Coach White Basketball Classic. It wasn’t quite midnight as we rebounded, south, through the dimly lit Lincoln Tunnel. Yeah, I wasn’t even mad as the bus stopped in Newark, NJ...I got people in Newark! People shuffle on and off “that hound dog” and before long we are trotting down 95 South…I nod off listening to heavy metal guitar squeals on somebody’s I-POD four rows behind me. [I know, I said, I know the bus driver could hear this crap!!] I’m not mad at him. We then pull off 95 and stop at Cherry Hill. I’m still not mad...I got people in Cherry Hill! People shuffle on and off “that hound dog” and before long we are trotting down Route 13 South. Route 13 South?!!? What kind on nonsense is this? What happened to 95 South!? I was doing pretty good with my fight with that “old grey hound dog,” then Route 13 jumps in…“They must be cousins!”

I thought this was going to be a fair one…Not!! It’s dark out side and I can’t sleep, on this lonely country road...Wilmington, De…What did I see on RT 13? Truck stops, cemeteries, a deer crossing(?) [I can’t take it] Salsbury, Md, used cars, used trucks…A scheduled bus stop in the middle of nowhere! I look out the window and see nothing but blackness! [Now I’m getting pissed, I can’t fight this route] A rest stop, then a stop at Oak Hill or Oak Hall, VA [I throw in the towel] What else did I see on RT 13? Used tools, used mobile homes, used tractors, used cows, horses [I should just sit back and enjoy (?) the ride]…Maryland Eastern Shore University, hardware stores, farmland [Did I see cotton?] Exmore, Va…[I’m beginning to see some daylight] Finally, I step off the bus with the dog, smiling, on the side…I kiss an elderly woman on the lips and hug the ground…I’m in Norfolk, Va…I sit here for two hours before I make my connection. I feel used and abused when I arrive in paradise. The sun is shining; Ain’t that a Beach…finally, I’m in Virginia Beach, Va.

Tournament Recap-Game One-The Quiet Storm loses to Dynasty 60-53, as Luther Bates shines with 14 points-Game Two-Was a Double Forfeit-Oxen Hill (DC) & Pure Game (Philly) [Did they get caught in the Rt. 13 Triangle?]-Game 3-James River edges Tidewater CC, 59-52, as D. Crawley sizzles with 17 points. Game 4- Watkins Enterprises rolls over Outkast 60-34, Tyrone “Red” Hill drops 26 points. Game 5-Dynasty gets schooled by Pure Game 60-27; Fahreed, Mike L, and Antoine Brockington are “The Professors.” Game 6-Oxen Hill beats Quiet Storm 60-54, Travis Fischer-24 pts & Chris Franswa had 16. Game 7-Smarthouse Legends eliminates the Little Creek All-Stars 67-62, Day-Lee, Mo Sanders, and Big Shot Carl shine in this one. Game 8- Outkast beat TCC 55-46, Tico & Robby were outstanding. Game 9- Watkins crosses James River 68-53, Lamarr Singletary & Chew Bostic get the job done. Game 10- Watkins runs over Tidewater C.C. 94-50, Watkins shoots 66% from the 3 point line.

Elimination Playoff Round-Smarthouse excuses Langley AFB-50-39. Watkins Enterprises erases Oxen Hill 62-46. Smarthouse picks off Pure Game 53-46. In the Chip, Smarthouse Legends bow to Watkins Ent 59-58 in OT! Bostic and Hill are named Tournament MVPs…I think a third MVP should have been given to Lamarr Singletary. See you at the next tournament and the next time I’ll drive!! Peace and Defense.