Under Armour game disappoints kids

BROOKLYN, NY - There was supposed to be a game between Boys & Girls HS and NBA players Wednesday afternoon at the Bed-Stuy school.

The game would feature players from Boys & Girls varsity against newly drafted NBA player Kemba Walker, Brandon Jennings, fellow rookie Derrick Williams and 2nd year player Greivis Vasquez. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way.

The problem was the date the game was being played. It would have been okay if it was played before October 31st. The PSAL informed the school that if any of the varsity high school players played in the game versus professional players, they would be automatically disqualified from participating in any game the entire season. That was not the way to go for the two time PSAL defending champs.

Leroy Fludd was one of those players watching the game in stead of playing the game. They found out about a week ago that the game was going to be played, so naturally the team was excited. Fludd said that he found out around noon that their team wasn't going to be able to play.

"I was disappointed," Fludd said when asked how he felt about being denied the opportunity to play. "I wanted to come out and have fun for the crowd."

Instead of this year's varsity team, it was a team filled with former Boys & Girls players instead. One of the alumni players who was asked to play was Jamine "Greedy" Peterson who played for the Kangaroos in 2006. Peterson put on a show in the first half, getting a few big time dunks.

But the day was reserved for the NBA players, all sponsored by Under Armour. Jennings was especially entertaining, showing off his outside shot and more than a handful of rim rocking dunks. Williams showed off his impressive leaping ability, dunking with ridiculous ease. Walker, the hometown product from the Bronx showed off a little of the stuff that he will showcase when he gets his chance, even though he appeared to be hampered by a slightly injured foot.

The game was close in the first half with Team Under Armour holding a slim 55-53 lead. Things got out of hand early in the third and predictably, the NBA players won without much of a fight in the end. They should have prevailed; they get paid to put the ball in the basket. The final score was 100-91.

Team Under Armour's will play at Lincoln High School next. However, instead of Lincoln players, they might field a team that includes former school alumni Lance Stephenson and Sebastian Telfair. The game at Boys was originally supposed to be closed to the public and only for Boys & Girls students. It was a way of giving back to the community and providing entertainment for the kids. The event was free and students only needed to show their ID to attend.

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