<PHILLY-NOV 04>

Peace and Blessings to the family…Back in the days, during the righteous 60’s and the gratification 70’s there were many after-school programs and gyms open for youth recreation. These were safe houses, places of refuge, a sort of cultural and athletic oasis in the burning deserts of our inner-city streets. By the 1980’s the great social scientist killed all of that, and the money and resources were vacuumed out of our neighborhoods. And so, away went the gyms, gone were the rec center programs, dismissing a slice of social order and…oh yeah, the Holiday Tournaments died too. Back in those ancient times there were many tournaments, Christmas, Thanksgiving (or Thankstaking), Easter, etc. The whole neighborhood would come out to see and support teen athletes competing for bragging rights of their local communities. Some classic rivalries lasted for years, as many ballplayers would become familiar with one another from competing in these weekend tournaments, eventually playing with or against one another in High School and College. Somebody needs to bring these community tournaments back….Somebody did!

For the past three years Tony Holmes has been the architect of the Philadelphia Holiday Basketball Tournaments, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. This adult competition in the “City of Brotherly Love” brings back old friends, old foes, and the community residents from Pa, NJ, and NYC. We caught up with Tony and asked, “Why the Holiday format in Philly?” … “Well I’ve had several thirty and over, thirty-five and over tournaments with an eight game schedule [deep breathe] and out of eight games five were blowouts and the rest were competitive. Older players loose interest in a longer season [with work and other commitments] so I decided to do 2 day tournaments and everyone can commit to that and enjoy themselves. You get three intense games in a weekend!”

Returning this year Watkins Enterprises, from Longside NJ[2nd Place last year], and The DL System NYC Crew [Always competitive and Stronger this year], The French Real Estate Ballers from Atlantic City, NJ [Featuring Willie Glass & Co]. Unfortunately, [or fortunately] last years champions, The Philadelphia Renegades will not be competing in this tournament….So once again it’s on….All roads lead to Philly. Thank goodness for the Holidays. Thank goodness for Hoops. Thank goodness for Tony Holmes.
LW

Philly's November Tournament
Start Date/Time: Saturday Nov 13, 2004 12:30pm

Location: Marion Anderson Recreation Center-Philadelphia, Pa
744 S. 17th Street
(Between Catherine and Fitzwater Streets)
Contact Tony Holmes for more info. 215-870-1930
For driving directions mapquest.com
$30 fee includes jersey, trophies, and ref. fees