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Dyckman Basketball Tournament Jumps Off to a Big Start

By Maya Shwayder | June 12, 2012 8:04pm
Cabbie of Team 8732 drives toward the hoop during second half action.
Cabbie of Team 8732 drives toward the hoop during second half action.
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DNAinfo/Joseph Tabacca

INWOOD — The Dyckman Basketball Tournament kicked off its 22nd year on Monday in Dyckman Park near 204th street.

Opening night drew an estimated 1,100 spectators to the park, and another 1,200 watched on livestream as the Body Snatchers went head to head with Team 8732, and won, 73-70.

The tournament brings together high school, college, and professional basketball players. Big names like Baron Davis, of the New York Knicks, are expected to make appearances this year to meet with fans and sign autographs during the game.

Beyond simply being entertainment for the neighborhood, Dyckman Youth Enterprises Program Coordinator Isaiah Brown said that the tournament aims to be a safe place where people in the community can gather.

"We don't want there to be nothing for kids to do or nothing for their parents to do," Brown said. "It's a season where people are outside. We want there to be an event where people have a safe place to come and gather."

Marketing Coordinator Sharon Bond added, "We have all these young men and women, who instead of being in the street and getting into trouble, they have [a volunteer] part in the tournament. We're cleaning up, we're setting up, anything that needs to be done."

The tournament will be held every night in Dyckman Park through July 1. The high school game will begin at 7 p.m., and the college/pro game around 8:15 p.m.