The 17th annual Gee Gee Brown Tournament
continued its summer basketball entertainment as some of the best local talent
went head to head.
Last years champion, County Line (Hudson & Camden
county) did not participate this year and was truly missed. A new comer, “Team Finesse”, fill that void
with a group of young talent featuring a youngster who no longer can be told to
wait for the next game, Jeff Adkins.
Team Finesse was coached by Adkins Sr. Jeff Jr. brought some of his
college buddies along from different states and Team Finesse put on a shooting
exhibition.
Rush Hour, last year’s runner up to County Line, dethroned
Bada Bing last year. Although, Rush
Hour suffer the unofficial rule of street ball teams, “Free Agency”. The main stays of Rush Hour, Anthony Nelson,
Jerrel Thompson and John Strickland, bolted for Team Anthony Davis. Couple that with injuries and other player’s
failure to commit, it was dooms day for Rush Hour to push the envelope this
year as they were eliminated in the 2nd round.
Team Anthony Davis benefited from the transfer of
players. Jerrel Thompson was a scoring
juggernaut as he led his team to the semi-finals. John Strickland fortified the middle for Team Anthony Davis as
their only 2 losses were to the teams that were in the final round. Rafiq Kornegay gave an exceptional effort
also.
Team Terry Dehere came in with some famous names, Dominique
Cheeks, Terry Dehere, and Roshaun McCloud.
But this was not the same Dehere that lit up the scoreboards at St.
Anthony’s, Seton Hall University, and in the NBA. McCloud took off his coaching uniform and played very well in the
opening round game. McCloud did not
show for the final day and Team Dehere missed his presence. Keon Paton not only looked like James Harden
of the Houston Rockets but he played like him also. Paton guided the star studded roster voided Team Terry Dehere to
the Semi-finals. Team Terry Dehere only
defeats came to the teams that reached the finals.
Bada Bing mixed youth with veteran leadership. This combo proved to be effective as Bada
Bing regained the championship crown by defeating a strong and youthful Team
Finesse. The addition of 6’8” “Big
Chris” and 6’8” Justin Sears bolstered the interior paint. Long time veteran “Big” Reggie would come
into the game to provide the Charles Oakley like enforcement and give the
youthful big men a break. This proved
to be effective as many teams were deterred to attack the middle and relied on
their perimeter shooting. Tournament
MVP, Mike Gordon, received much help form younger brother Derrick Gordon. The Plainfield first family of basketball
combo backcourt was arguably the most efficient backcourt in the tournament.
Ian Wilson played the role of Charles Barkley as the veteran found the
mismatches and went to the well until dry.
Long time veteran duo sharp shooters, Eric Magazine and Greg Fowler came
off the bench to unload pinpoint bombs from deep. Before you know it they are back on the bench with Bada Bing
extending their lead to double digits.
Next up All Gee-Gee Brown Tournament Honor Roll – Honorable Mention
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