 
|
|
MAD
HOPS TOURNEY SLAM DUNKS COLUMBUS,
OHIO |
 COLUMBUS, OHIO May 18 & 19, 2002 - Esteban
Weaver. Aaron Turner. Andre Turner. Shaun Fountain. Otterbein’s Jeff
Gibbs. Those are just a few of the high caliber (and well-known)
local ballers that played in this year’s inaugural Mad Hops 5-on-5
Basketball Tournament. The tournament took place at The
HOOP Basketball & Fitness Center located at 4185 E. 5th Avenue
in Columbus, Ohio.
"The games were fantastic and the
competition was fierce." claimed Mad Hops, ltd. Pres./CEO Herb
Baldwin, Jr. "If you weren’t dunking on anybody, you were getting
dunked on!"
Sure enough, that’s exactly how each and every
game was played. Crowds of at least 200 spectators per day (over the
two-day event) witnessed some very high-level basketball action.
 Although the event planned to draw 32
participating teams, only seven eventually played throughout the
weekend. There were a significant number of ex-Division 1-college
players and aspiring semi-pro/pro players within the field of
participants. All of which, made the games much more exciting to
watch. Team Streets ended the weekend by winning the coveted 3ft
tall Trophy and $1000 Grand Prize presented by Mad Hops,
ltd.
The Slam Dunk Competition, judged by local Celebrity and
former Ohio State/NBA star, Dennis Hopson, became a crowd favorite
as the final round became a sudden death "Dunk-Off" between the
final two contestants. 6’5" DaJuan Tate (The HOOP) outlasted 6’2"
Mike Brownlee (Team Streets) in the first annual event. Dennis
Hopson was very impressed with the performances. "There were plenty
of high flyers out there, today (Saturday), that could do some very
complicated dunks" Hopson stated. "Some of these guys could compete
in the NBA dunk contest." Mad Hops, ltd., Pres./CEO, Herb Baldwin
was equally delighted. "Tate’s game is straight up RAW" Baldwin
stated. "His game reminds me of Kevin Garnett’s or Darius Miles’."
"Mike Brownlee jumps out of the gym." Baldwin added. "At only 6’2",
he’s a deceptively explosive leaper. These guys turned it up a notch
during the Dunk-Off."
A surprise visit from B.E.T. TV
personality, "Hits"(from the video program, "Hits From The Street"),
highlighted the tournament as he dramatically entered The Hoop
facility just as the championship game was coming to a close. "Hits"
signed autographs and took pictures with fans, the Champion and
Runner-Up teams, respectively. "He definitely surprised me by coming
out to show his support" Baldwin said. "He has such a busy schedule
and I was completely surprised that he made it out. He was also here
visiting family, as well."
20 percent of the proceeds from
the event went towards diabetes research and the American Diabetes
Association. A.D.A. performed FREE diabetic screenings for any
willing spectator during the weekend event. Baldwin’s own mother was
diagnosed with the disease a few years ago and he views the
tournament as an opportunity to not only help her but anyone
suffering from diabetes.
Columbus’ R&B, Hip-Hop Radio Station,
WCKX 107.5 conducted a live broadcast during the MADHOPS
Tournament on Saturday, as well. Radio personality, Sly Tay, not
only worked the microphone, during the live broadcast, but also
showed some game while he played for Power 107’s team.
Think
there will be enough buzz for next year’s MADHOPS Tournament ?
"We’ll see." Baldwin laughed. "It can only get better. I think we’ve
built a solid foundation to work with for future
projects."
|
|
