In days gone by, Washington Park’s basketball court was reminiscent of how Will Smith experienced summertime in his rap coined as:
“It’s late in the day and I ain’t been on the court yet. Hustle to the mall to get me a short set. Yeah, I got on sneaks but I need a new pair; cause basketball courts in the summer got girls there…”
Driving past Washington Park on Orange Ave. in the summertime was like driving pass a neighborhood party. Young men wearing their basketball best hovered around the court like summer honey bees surrounding a hive, recruiting the next set of potential teammates for the next game. Young ladies came in groups of four and five just to hang out, giggling with each other, and directing their attention to the player they liked best. It was a place to see, and to be seen.
But in recent times, and for many reasons, the number of residents that use the basketball court has dwindled. Driving pass one would only encounter a spattering of participants, usually playing a casual half-court pickup game with little fanfare. While the ball fields adjacent to Washington Park pool on top of the hill are teaming with rugby games, soccer practices and such, the basketball court that was once claim to local legends and epic battles that were gossiped throughout the valley, sit as a lost relic of times past.
In an effort to revitalize the folklore associated with this legendary local venue, and to bring awareness of Washington Park as a vital resource to the Northwest community, the YMCA Express at Gainsboro will host a co-ed 3-on-3-basketball tournament on Saturday, June 10, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Community celebrities will referee the event, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cash prizes will be awarded!
