Mark Holder, a kid from Brownsville Brooklyn, a.k.a. Crazylegs a.k.a. Mr. Buckets was the best in his class.  Ask Ted Gustus and Tyrone Davis a.k.a. Ty Boogie.  He messed up and got a next chance to go JUCO because he didn't do well at Canarsie High.  He is now 22 and is starting over at Palomar JUCO in Cali.  In the hood he averaged 20 points, 10 dimes, 7 boards, and 3 turnovers.  Look out, he could be a JUCO All-American.  6'3 big body with crazy vision and handle he will be back.  I coming I am putting Brooklyn on my back because with out Brooklyn I am nothing.  To the young boys: go to class and sit in front and stay focused.  RIP Dennis Miller.  He knew Mark was good.  He could be the next B Diddy with less hops but it's all good. I am working on that. BROWNSVILLE NEVER RAN, NEVER WILL. - mrbuckets3012

My crew was an urban success as well as winners.  Dave Britton (JFK/Bronx) Texas /atm Wendell Ramsey (JFK) Northern Arizona / Phil Walker (JFK)West Texas /atm  Rob Wright (JFK/GW) Texas /atm Norman Skullark (Brandeis) Centenary / Anthony McNeil (everywhere) / Stu Grooms (everywhere) and a host of others from 1970 to about 1977.  Biddies to Unlimited, from Mr. Ollie to Cheese to Jelly Roll.  Mr. Lorch, Ressurection, Intersession Dyckman, Mr. Couch City Wide (shout-out to Chico And Lamont) won every tournament we played in Rucker, Rya Milbank, Wheel-chair Classic, Each-one Teach-one,  Bob McCullough 155th street, Goat, CYO Teachers College Battle Ground and others in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Riverside, Gauchos, Pro-Rucker Half Time all without ever going to a basketball camp.  No one gave that love so all you crews shout out go ahead and match us.  Much love NYC, that's where it all started from.  - Coach Rob Wright, Dallas, Texas

Does anyone have any contact with the family of the late Mike White, DeWitt Clinton All-City 1967?  We are setting up a scholarship in his name and would love to contact his family and any of the guys from the team Ñ Henry Seawright, Todd Trice, Leon Williams, Bernard Obey, Brad Jenkins, Clipper Campbell.... Please help us find as many of these as possible.  Many thanks, the sportswriter from DWC.  -  Victor

Just wanted to say thanks for this site.  I grew up in this era.  I am from Brownsville, Bklyn.  I grew up around many of the guys mentioned on this page.  I know Fly Williams personally.  I had the pleasure of being around World, Curt S., Ice Reynolds, Jacko, JR, Phil and the rest of the gang . . . In fact growing up my Step-Dad played with these guys often. His name was Rob Soto . . . If anyone has a story about Rob please share, as I was so young my memories of his on the court abilities are limited.  I am interested in hearing more about this era.  Rob Soto, the only Puerto Rican in B-ville that was highly respected on the court.  I am double lucky . . . As a good 10 years later my uncle became a legend in his own right.  Terrence "Tone" Springer.  The best memory I have is when he was playing in the Dunkers Delight Tournament (routinely scoring 50+ per game).  He was playing Conrad McCrae who was fresh off his best season at Syracuse.  Any way Conrad was playing pretty good, and started talking ish to my Tone . . . Tone was visibly getting upset.  Conrad comes down and dunks on Tone . . . start waiving at the crowd and all of that . . . Well Tone comes back down, and dunks on Conrad backwards . . . The crowd went crazy, and Tone continues to abuse Conrad for the rest of the game . . . It was a really good look . . . Let's hear about Tone Springer, Junie Sanders, NIKE-1, Ed "Booger" Smith.   Who remembers Tyrone Mack from Automotive HS?  I played against him several times . . .  By the way . . .  I am a NYC b-ball champion.  I played on the Transit Tech Express... we won the B title in 1992/93.  Who knows Bam from Bishop Ford?  Good dude. Now assistant coach at Canisus.  I believe . . . There has to be more stories.  -  Ishan "Ice" Davenport, Brooklyn, NY

Bone Collector is the best I seen.  This one game where he was going against this point guard who BC had a beef with so they were going at it the whole game.  Finally you hear BC like "I'm going to take this boy out" so as he was down the left corner by the three he called the point guard out.  The point guard was in a regular defensive stance and all BC did was dribble the ball through his legs for like 30 seconds sloooowwwly turning towards the basket till the other point guard was like "do something" and BC  just smiled, took two steps to the left and did the easiest lay-up.  The point guard just realized that BC made him turn slowly left till the point where BC had the hoop right next to him all he had to do was walk to it!!  BC DA BEST.  luv dis site!! - Illinois

They call me Ice b-cuz I put everybody on ice with my moves.  I have moves that nobody has seen before, I guarantee that.  When the Summerball show came on I watch every episodes hoping I can be on da Shakin' team one day.  Just put it like this, I'm Hot-sauce and the Chosen One put together.  But I can say anything but it is really only one way to find out?  -  myke_beez

Originally from Brooklyn. I played at Lemoyne Owen with Eric Green, Rudy Johnson, Jerry Abernathy, Joe Gadson and one other kid from the Bronx we called "LA."  I grew up in Brownsville with Fly and Sonny Lewis, James and all the Crew from BRC . . .  I didn't see Curtis Sumpter on your site.  I was attending a JC in Cali in late 70's, early 80's.  I was watching a game on TV, coming live from some gym up in the Bronx.  This kid was killing Gus and Ray Willams.  It was Kirk (Curtis Sumpter).  He had about 40.  I played against him many times in the park around Livonia and Dumont (in Brownsville).  He used to run with this kid named Phil Forman.  I was at Friendship JC with Phil.  Anyway I wanted to drop you a few lines. I just happened on to your site.  Son, I was thoroughly impressed.  I have to think back but I'm sure, I have a few stories I can share . . .  Peace . . .   -  Morgan (Sham-God) Smith

My father told me that he saw Fly Williams play at IS 8 Gym in Queens, drop 40 by the third quarter, leave before the fourth quarter because he said the team was not passing him the ball enough . . . also do you remember names like Craig Pendergrast, Kenny Patterson, these guys could handle the ball like no other . . .  -  Artie Challenor

I grew up in Canarsie in the Brooklyn Projects.  I love that time in my life.  As a kid I got to watch Connie, Willie Williams and Tony Jackson play 3 on 3 all summer.  Growing up playing daily with Lew Alcindor, Jim McMillian, Larry McNeal, and a host of as good guys who never made the spotlight - Larry Cheatum, Kenny Hall, Lefty McQueen, Wiley Briggs - basketball was never better. The love of the game greatly exceeded any ego's.  My buddy Billy Davis and I went all through Bedford Stuyvesent, Reese Park, Manhattan Beach and Brooklyn to play the best.  Billy was a dunkin' phenomenon.  With the exception of Helicopter who played with us two years, Billy was the best pure dunker I have ever seen not playing pro.  I remember one day playing in Long Island, we were choosing up teams and Tom Ryker and two other 6'11" college players (Niagara and South Carolina) decided they all wanted to play together leaving just Billy at 6'5" and me at 6'4" as the only height on the other team.  Billy winked and I took the first jumper.

It hit the rim and bounced way up.  Billy grabbed it and dunked it backwards in the same motion.  He then told each big guy how he was going to dunk on them and proceeded to do so.  He was best man at my wedding and when we played together, we felt unbeatable - all due respect to guys we know were way better.  As I hit 60 and still play competitively in Colorado, I miss those times.  I have stories about Albie Grant, Lloyd Free, working out with the Knicks and Nets and Lou Carnesseca at Saint Johns.  Played with Wingo and Lennie Wilkens.  Howard Projects - used to play against Mel Davis, Fly and here in Denver with Joe Barry and Michael Ray.  All the legends - God Bless them all as for me that time was priceless.  Me, just played for the love.  Still love it and bustin' at 60 which for an old white guy ain't bad.  Team basketball has got to come back as that is the game at its best.  I hear there are old timer games at the Rec Center in Brownsville where I also played.  Be cool to do that once.  In HS Larry Elmore played with Jim McMillian - hell of a team.  The grandson of Larry - Dallas Elmore plays here in Fort Collins. I can tell you right now he is destined for greatness.  -  Bill Van Eron, Fort Collins, CO

Just wanted give my opinion on DeWitt Clinton's point guard Butch Lee who could get his shot off whenever he wanted and on whoever he wanted.  His mid range game was killer and when he went to the basket he was strong enough to get things done!  -  ceilrob