Final Project

Norman Community Enjoys Hoop-Phi

Jaren Collins of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. speaks on the 5th Annual Hoop-Phi Basketball Tournament.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. had fellowship and fun at their 5th Annual Hoop-Phi Basketball Tournament. It took place at Norman High School on April 30th.

“We hold this event to give the community a place to come out and have a good time,” said Lonnie Dow, president of Alpha Phi Alpha. “We have free food & entertainment just to show Norman we’re not only focused on OU.”

The tournament had two fields, in which there were 6 female teams and 13 male teams. The ultimate tournament winners, who also won a cash prize, was the female team “Transformers” and the male team, “Team Nike”.

The money that the organizations received from team registration fees goes toward their philanthropies. Each year teams come from all over the Oklahoma City area to play in the tournament.

“I play in the tournament to get some good competition,” said one of the players, Nicholas Robinson. “It’s a great workout, you can’t beat it.”

The tournament was ultimately a success, and they are looking forward to next year’s tournament.

Vince Williams of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. speaks on Hoop-Phi



Hoop-Phi Annual Basketball Tournament

The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in conjunction with the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. host their annual basketball tournament called Hoop-Phi. The event is meant to give the local area a place to come and fellowship

The event is free to the public and there will also be live entertainment from a local music group, S.O.S. The event is also used to raise awareness from the two organizations philanthropies - Alpha Phi Alpha with March of Dimes; and Delta Sigma Theta with American Heart Association.

Hoop-Phi will take place this Friday at Norman High School at 6pm. Registration fees are $25 for 5-person male teams, and $15 for 3-person female teams. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of their respective tournaments.

Video Story #2

Oklahoma City Servants Basketball Preview

It is that time of the year again where Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams prepare themselves for upcoming tournaments across the country. Right here in our own back yard we have a local team, the Oklahoma Servants. The Servants are team founded upon the mission: “To introduce the gospel of Christ to men, women, boys and girls through basketball and to develop a community of Christian families and activities for those families.” They consist of different teams:

· 4 years to 1st grade

· 2nd grade & 3rd grade

· 4th grade & 5th grade

· Middle School Boys

· Middle School Girls

· 9th grade boys

· High School boys

· High School girls

“We have a lot of work to get done prior to our first tournament in two weeks,” said Major Wilson who is the head coach and founder of the teams. He went on to say, “we are looking forward to playing against good competition and getting better at the game.” This year the teams will travel nearly every weekend beginning the third weekend of April.

Though the team lacks a bit of a height, they make it up for it with quick guard play, and good shooting. “We’ve gotten some kids from across the area who are hard workers, and very competitive,” said assistant coach Curtis Horton.

Overall, the Oklahoma Servants will be a good and fun team to watch, and look as if they will go far this AAU season.

1st Video Story

Asphalt does no justice for the body of basketball players

Back in the day, the men who played on the “black tops” were known as street legends in basketball. They were the celebrities in their neighborhoods. They were the role models for the youth. Now a days, the “black top” players are fewer and far between. Some of this may have to do with the popularity of AAU, Summer Leagues, and more organized basketball programs, but a big part may have to do with the wear and tear that playing on asphalt can do to one’s body.

Basketball itself is a demanding sport on the body, more importantly, the knees. Most wooden courts are made with some sort of cushioning and/or spring system underneath. The hard courts are not good for the body, but the cushioning and spring systems allow for some give. As for a concrete or asphalt surface, there is no give. This lack of “give” cause immense stress on the body joints, especially the knees and ankles.

For years, basketball players have played outdoors in many leagues, but now the move to indoor basketball is the most popular. For example And1 Basketball which move their street ball antics from the street courts to arenas; and Rucker Park, one of America’s most famous street courts, has redone the surface of their court to attract bigger names to play there.

Overall, to avoid unnecessary injuries, one should avoid playing basketball on concrete/asphalt courts, but if it has to be done, either be overprotective by using ankle braces, and knee straps or be prepared for pain.

There are many different types of basketballs as seen here at Academy Sports' and Outdoors on Sunday March 28, 2010.

The Way the Ball Bounces

It all about the way the ball bounces. But which ball bounces the best? With so many different choices, it’s hard to decide which ball is best for play.

Every basketball has a different texture, and sometimes color. The texture is dependent on whether the ball is meant for indoor or outdoor play. The most popular balls for younger players are basketball that can be used indoors and outdoors. Vanessa Roberts, parent of a 7 year-old Justin says “I chose the indoor/outdoor ball so my son can play on the basketball goal in our backyard and in the gym at the local YMCA without messing up the ball.”

The most popular ball according to Academy Sports' and Outdoors sales associate Matthews Smith is the Wilson Evolution. Also, the NCAA endorses this ball as their preferred basketball for their collegiate games. Smith went on to say that the ball is popular because of the soft texture, which is very important to guards and shooters.

The Wilson Evolution ball is one of the most preferred balls by basketball players according to a sales associate at Academy Sports' and Outdoors.

According to Terrul Henderson, high school basketball coach in Port Arthur, TX, the preferred basketball for he and his team is the Spalding TF-1000. This ball has an extraordinary grip and is very good at absorbing sweat. Spalding is also the official sponsor of the NBA, but Spalding has created a ball only to be used by the NBA. They have recently changed the NBA ball’s texture to the dismay of coaches and players.

Overall, there are many choices of basketballs, and it should be left in the player’s hand to decide which ball best fits their needs.

Soundslide #1

It's Got to be the Shoes…

Since its inception in December of 1891, the sport of basketball has always been a popular sport. As of late, one of its biggest sights has been the shoes. Though the shoe may seem fashionable, it is actually one of the most important pieces of equipment on the court. The wrong shoe could be very detrimental to a player, not only in the play of the game, but also cause a wear and tear of one’s body that should not take place.

“The proper shoe is just as important as the proper play,” Brittany Taylor, Finish Line basketball shoe saleswoman.

Shoes should be decided pending what position and/or style of play the player plays. Power players or post what to look for a shoe with excellent cushioning and stability as they will be doing a lot of vertical jumping which can take a toll on a player’s knees. All-around or wing players what a shoe with moderate ankle support and cushioning. This is the most common shoe. It is for the player who does everything from driving to the basketball, to running the fast break, to going inside to grab rebounds. Fast players or guards should chose a more lightweight shoe with moderate support and much flexibility. This shoe will allow them to be lighter on their feet and make different types of cuts that will not be restricted by a lot of ankle support.

When shopping for a shoe, keep some of these things in mind:

• Shop later in the day when your feet are swollen, because your feet swell when you play.

• Measure your feet.

• Wear the same thickness of sock that you will be playing in,

• Try different brands.

• Walk around and jog in the store making quick starts and stops

• Lace the shoes up tightly

• Make sure the big toe is separated from the toe of the shoe by about a thumb nail’s length.

• Bend the shoe in half, if it flexes at the arch, you don’t want it.

There are many different brands of basketball shoes, two of the top selling are Nike and its leading subset, Air Jordan. Though these two are the top selling, try on different styles, to make sure you find the one that best fits your needs.

Finding the perfect basketball shoe is an art, but once done a player's game can be taken to the next level and have all the fans saying "It's Got to be the Shoes."

Soundslides Test