90 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 29, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com sports NOTHING BUT NET! IT’S ALL ABOUT BASKETBALL LL COOL J COMES HOME Attends 9th annual Jump and Ball Tournament BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] It’s not just Ladies who Love Cool James. The rapper and actor, whose real name is James Smith, was surrounded by hundreds of male and female fans and residents for pictures and hugs as he made his way through Daniel O’Connell Park to watch the games of his 9th annual Jump and Ball Tournament on August 24. LL COOL J, who stars in “NCIS: Los Angeles,” started the tournament along with State Senator Malcolm Smith to give back to his community. “There are a lot of artist who come out of southeast Queens, but I can tell you this is the only one I know who has stepped up and said ‘I want to give something back,’ and has stuck with it for nine years,” Smith said. The event, which features basketball games every weekend until September 1, is free to register and participate. In past weeks there was also live music, free food and a variety of other family fun activities, including golf, chess, tennis, a karate showcase and rope tricks by Cowboy Curly Hall at this year’s event. “I think it’s wonderful that he does this for the community,” said St. Albans resident Leticia Moore-Jackson. “He never forgot where he came from. He’s a great rapper, entertainer and a great person.” Coming back home was special for James as well, because he said his schedule forces him to be everywhere around the country and sometimes abroad. He delivered a message to the children at the park about believing in your dreams, despite what others may say. “Anything you really truly believe deep down inside you, you can accomplish,” he said. “And I don’t want you to ever think that because you’re from this neighborhood, my neighborhood, that you’re somehow relegated to only LL Cool J made an appearance at his 9th annual Jump and Ball Tournament to express his love for his community. having a certain amount of success or you’re only able to do certain things based on where you’re from or the color your skin or what someone else says about you. Don’t believe that because it’s not true.” James said the basketball tournament has turned into an important THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre part of the year for the community and it is a signifi cant event for him as well. “This is the hood and basketball is just a big part of how we came up and how we grew up and I wanted to make sure that they had an opportunity to play and have fun,” he said. “I think they love it and I love it.” BRAVEST VS. FINEST ON THE COURT FDNY licks NYPD at Queens South Responders Basketball Tournament BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] The Fire Department was just too hot to handle in the inaugural Queens South Responders Basketball Tournament at Daniel O’Connell Park on August 25. FDNY from Engine 317 and Ladder 165 defeated the 113th Precinct, 30-15, before crushing the community team 36-18 to win the tournament. Jamahl Wright of the fi re team scored the most points in both games, with 15 in the fi rst and 9 in the second. The game was organized to bring local fi rst responders and residents together to build trust in the community. “First responders are our partners of the betterment of our community,” said State Senator Malcolm Smith, who played for the community team, drawing on his experience playing basketball for Christ The King High School. “More important than winning is the camaraderie that comes about.” Members of the Fire Department wore red, the NYPD wore blue and the community had white T-shirts on. While the game’s main message was about unity, the teams played very competitively. “We out here to win,” said Shaka Gaines captain of the FDNY team. “You got be able to brag about something. So when we see them we can say ‘remember the game.’” The fi rst annual event brought tons of basketball fans from the community to watch. Unlike the Jump and Ball Tournament games that have been in the park every weekend during the month, these games were special, because only adults participated. It was also unique, because it brought local responders to the park for fun. Members of the Fire Department, the 113th Precinct and the community came together for the inaugural Queens South Responders Basketball Tournament. “This whole thing came together two weeks ago, so it’s a win in my eyes,” said Johnny Hines, a Community Affairs offi cer of the 113th Precinct. Hines came up with the idea of the THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre game a few weeks ago and reached out to community leaders to put it together. “These guys would never be here in this park if this tournament wasn’t here.”
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