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Sunday, July 25, 1999

Ballyhoop courts 2,500 fans, participants
401 teams compete on first day of basketball tournament to benefit Special Olympics
By Ana Tamez
Caller-Times

The ball is in play as a massive crowd gathers around, enclosing all four sides ofcourt 6.
   The Dream Squad and the Players Club are into the final minutes of their game Saturday, when a Squad member nabs a rebound and dishes it to his teammate, who has been left alone on the perimeter.
   As the player squares up and shoots, a Club member comes flying through the air, sending the shooter and himself to the hot cement.
   "Foul!" utters a member of the Dream Squad.
   "Boo!" retorts the crowd.
   And that was just the beginning of the trash talking, the fouling and games as play got under way Saturday at the 1999 Pepsi Bay Ball Ballyhoop at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
   About 2,500 people and players from 401 three-on-three teams came out Saturday for the annual event to benefit Special Olympics.
   Though talking trash is one of the cornerstones of street ball, game monitor Rob Thompson said he tries not to let it bother him.
   "I just let them play ball," he said. "I just start the watch and stop it. That's just part of the game."
   Spectator Joe Moreno, a former game monitor, says the talk is something you get used to, as long as it doesn't get out of hand.
   "When you're out here playing, you gotta remember you're representing your family," Moreno said. "It's not all about winning."
   Thompson said he believes that community aspect of the event is what keeps players coming back year after year.
   Efrain Gomez, a member of the Players Club, has his own theory.
   "Everyone wants to relive their childhood, and it gives them a chance," he said. "We're just a bunch of grown-ups that don't want to grow up. "
   Play resumes at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Staff writer Ana Tamez can be reached at 886-4388 or by e-mail at tameza@caller.com

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