Sunny Days Again....

After an unusual run of overcast days this June on Saturday mornings, the sun broke through this Saturday. Frankly I was loving the overcast, cooler days, but who can argue with sunshine? There was a good turnout, Over twenty people were on the courts this Saturday. For a time two courts were going but many left early probably because of the warm weather.

There were some new faces. Ken brought his neighbor and his son, Shane (dad) and Garrette. Their presence was welcome and their talents used and tested. Shane proved to be a great rebounder and shot blocker and Garrette had a great jump shot. Hopefully, they will become regulars. Maybe they'll get Ken coming out more often too.


All in all it was a terrific day. Lets see if we can do it again this coming Friday. The courts will be open and several of use will return to the courts for more hoops. So this is promising to be a double hoop weekend. I hope I see everyone out there!!

Familiar Faces Return for "Hoopcation"

Unfortunately, I missed out again this weekend on the meeting of the hoopstas. I returned to the Sacramento area to retrieve my daughter who was hanging out with her big brother over this past week at the UC Davis campus.

Apparently, many old familiar faces returned to the courts. A few bands of brothers, father and son pairings & high school alumni abounded. Keith and son; Darryl and sons; Rich and Kyle the brothers; Louis without his brother Mondo and then we had the High School Alumni, Keith, Kevin and Rogen. If I get any names wrong please speak with the editor. The familiar faces that I am sorry to have missed are Jaimie, Darryl, Jeremy and Kent. Hopefully, they willl return next week when I'm planning to return.

"Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Sleet...."

My father was a postman and they had this pledge or creed that they would go by..., "Neither rain, nor Snow, nor Sleet, nor dark of night , shall keep these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." I didn't know that that was the creed of the WBA. Yet the Weekenders were out in full force this Saturday morning taking their appointed rebounds and sticking the appropriate jumpers despite a light drizzle. Salutations and blessings to all of the faithful that came out.

Rich and Virgil were true ballers for providing the nets for this morning's activities. Somehow due to modifications underway at the grounds, the nets were removed. Mike is such a baller that he could dunk the ball while putting up the net. Amazing!! Looks like Mondo couldn't stop him either. Wow. Where are the Guinness Book of Records people and those guys from ESPN when you need them.
I am in the Sacramento area celebrating my son's graduation from the University of California, Davis. Great wheather up here, no rain. But the flip side of that is no hoops...bummer. See you all next week!! Thanks Robert for the pictures and the information. Who should be the athlete of this coming week?

Bill Taylor Turns 70 While Popping Jumpers and Padding His Stat Sheet

Our friend, Bill Taylor, turned 70 this past Wednesday, June 3rd , 2009. Bill is a phenomenal person and the only person that I’ve ever known to play basketball at the tender age of 70. I feel truly honored to know him, I ‘m hoping that his physical command over the years is not genetic, but some sort of air-born virus that I can catch. Unfortunately, the evidence contrary to my hope and dreams is manifest in his family’s attributes. His younger brother runs marathons and his Mother, who is 90 years old, just took him out for his birthday the other day.

We have all anxiously anticipated this historic milestone in our group. Mike Fox, Virgil and Eric Tate arranged a special day for Bill. They contacted all of those that once participated in the Saturday morning games and invited them to a morning hoops extravaganza and a morning brunch. So on the morning of June 6th, a multitude of the faithful from old times, dropped in for a morning of basketball that consumed three of the courts at Chaparral. After the hoops, we all gathered at the Diamond Bar Country Club for brunch and lively conversation. We caught up on the lives of those that haven’t been participating for a while and talked about spouses, children, grand-children and about all the current events. But, we also heard from Bill about the origins of this Saturday morning gathering. Apparently, it started with Bill playing basketball with his brother. They felt a need to find another venue for their activity and put an ad in the paper. What followed was a venture that was nomadic in its beginning, and jumped from sites in Orange County to Diamond Bar High School, through Ayala High School in Chino Hills and finally came to stability at Chaparral Middle School.

Part of the early problem was with stragglers that would come to play with their own agenda. Bill had a vision with the Saturday morning basketball that involved an equity of talent that resulted in a more competitive experience, rather than one that allowed “stacked teams” to drop in and dominate the day. Hence, talent is always evened out for the games, at least with the first game. Then, profanity, fighting and gloating were not allowed. Bill’s vision, I think, is what fosters the “brotherhood” and kinship felt among the participants. We always know that Bill is watching and that there is a higher expectation for our behavior. Therefore, it has become a place of retreat of sorts where we can bring our kids and friends, secure in the fact that no inappropriate behavior will occur. Therefore, the man with the vision, Bill Taylor, has come to be known as the “Commish”, the first Commissioner of the WBA, the Weekend Basketball Association.

At the brunch, Eric Tate presented Bill with a signed basketball set in glass with signatures from all the guys. We have spent the past couple of months gathering all the signatures. At times the ball would literally bounce from one guys house to another to help facilitate the gathering of signatures. Finally, the day was closed out with many smiles, remembrances, group photos and choco cake with candles.

Many thanks to Wei-Jin "Robert" Lee and Paul Young for photographs.

Look for the top slideshow on the side for the latest pictures.