“Don’t ever disrespect me… Man!” “Me and Antwan Butler are the best two point guards in the city… Don’t ever disrespect us by comparing us to junior point guards… They’re not ready!”
Sam Sessoms, December 9, 2017
Shipley Senior Point Guard, Sam Sessoms
A year ago, I sat courtside and witnessed a magisterial point guard performance… I saw a young man do what he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted against a Philadelphia Catholic League powerhouse… He was unstoppable…
At the conclusion of that game, trying to capture the essence of a dominant 44 point performance… I spent a few moments thinking about different ways to describe what I had witnessed… Now, I’m a capable scribe… I know how to use thesaurus.com… But, after about 3-4 minutes I just decided to write what I truly felt at the time…
So I typed the following: “Collin Gillespie is a BAD MUTHAFUCKA!”
After all my years of study… undergraduate and graduate degrees… That was the very best I could do.
I was proud of myself! It really conveyed what I was trying to get across… People understood… It resonated…
Tonight… I find myself in the same position… So… I must emphatically state that…
Sam Sessoms is a BAD MUTHAFUCKA!
He singlehandedly willed his Shipley squad to a victory over mighty Neumann-Goretti in one of the marquee matchups of the five game set organized by Jeremy Treatman.
The Play-By-Play Classic Carroll Tip Off featured some of the finest players on the east coast. Tyree Pickron, Andrew Funk, Ryan Young, Justin Paz, Marcus Littles, Dahmir Montague, Will McNair, Donelle Holley and AJ Hoggard all played on the same court tonight. It was truly a glorious gathering of scholastic stars.
But one shined brighter than all the rest.
This ain’t AAU…
This past summer he played an important facilitator role while paired with two top 20 National recruits (Cam Reddish, Duke commit and Louis King, Oregon commit). With Shipley, Sessoms is asked to bring and aggressively utilize all of his tools… And, he has a full set…
Tonight… He was deep in his bag!
Sam Sessoms dominated this game against Neumann-Goretti. Scored 37 points and assisted on five (5) other baskets. But more than the stats, it was the way he did it. He refused to let Shipley lose. Neumann-Goretti defenders, especially, the uber athletic Chris Ings, were able to bother him from time to time. Nonetheless, Sessoms imposed his will on the game start to finish.
He helped his teammates play better. He offered encouragement and stern redirection when necessary. Whenever he sensed Neumann-Goretti gaining confidence he went for the kill. Pull up jumpers… Crossovers, spin moves, in and outs… Whatever was needed to create space, he utilized…
Well on his way to 2,000+ career points and headed to Binghamton after prom and graduation, he appears intent on forging a legacy that will stand the test of time.
For those that are admirers of “Philly guards”, I encourage you to make a few trips out to the Main Line to catch Shipley in person this season. You really won’t be disappointed, because…
Speedy Morris is a Philadelphia basketball coaching legend. He began his head-coaching career at Roman Catholic HS. His teams were dominant. Speedy went 347-82 from 1967-1981. After that, he manned the sidelines at Penn Charter, going 41-14 from 1982-84. Then in a surprising move, he took over the La Salle University women’s team. Of course, he won… going 43-17 from 1984-86.
Speedy Morris and La Salle great Lionel Simmons
Morris was ultimately given the reigns of the La Salle men’s team and went 238-203 from 1986-2001. Under Morris, the Explorers reached the postseason six times, including four NCAA appearances. His best La Salle team featured national player of the year Lionel Simmons and finished 30-2. They ended the year, ranked No. 12 in the nation. In 2002, he took over at St. Joe’s Prep, where he is 321-109.
Speedy Morris following his 300th win at SJ Prep
Morris has won eight Catholic League titles (6 at Roman, 2 at the Prep). He also won an Inter-Ac championship at Penn Charter. Morris has been inducted into the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame, the La Salle University Hall of Athletes, the Big 5 Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. He is the winningest coach in Catholic League history.
Bobby Jordan is my friend. Bobby Jordan is NOT a coaching legend. A true Philly hoophead, Jordan was a point guard at Roman Catholic before playing for Bruiser Flint at Drexel. Immediately after his playing career was over, Jordan joined the staff at his alma mater. He worked in administrative capacities before being named an assistant coach.
Girard College Coach, Bob Jordan
When Flint was let go at Drexel, Jordan was named Athletic Director at Girard College. He hired veteran coach Clyde Jones who immediately led Girard College to the PIAA Class A state championship game. A successful first year, by any reasonable measure. Jones, however, resigned abruptly after the season ended.
Jordan leaned on his Roman Catholic connections to lure Philly Legend Donnie Carr away from Hartford University. Carr was named Head Coach and the Cavaliers looked to be perfectly situated to build upon the successful foundation laid by Clyde Jones.
Then John Giannini threw a monkey wrench into Jordan’s carefully laid plans. La Salle University offered Carr an Assistant Coaching position at his alma mater… His dream job! Jordan and everyone else in the Philadelphia basketball community were ecstatic for Carr.
But… Jordan, the Athletic Director was forced to identify a third Head Coach for the Girard College program in a little over a year. Despite their success, the program was in need of stability. Bobby Jordan the Athletic Director decided to hire Bobby Jordan to coach the team.
That’s how my friend found himself in his first game as a Head Coach facing the legendary Speedy Morris. Oh yeah… This game is also a battle for Girard Avenue bragging rights. If you throw a stone over the wall from the Girard College campus it will likely hit a car in the St. Joe’s Prep parking lot.
Speedy vs Bobby
Welcome to the head coaching ranks Bob! It was a great game… Tightly contested throughout… The headliners lived up to their billings… Mikal Jones and Daquan Copeland led a valiant effort by Girard. Big Ed Croswell bumped and banged his way to 22 points to lead St. Jospeh’s Prep. In the end, it came down to the final play…
The game was tied 56-56 with 10 seconds to go and then this happened…
If you work with me in any way, shape or form… it’s coming!
If I reviewed your transcripts… it’s coming! If I introduced you to a college coach… it’s coming! If you put a team in the Black Cager Fall Classic… it’s coming!
If your team played in the Battle for the Bell… it’s coming!
Trust me… it’s coming!
How do I know?
Over 20 people, including someone tonight (11/21/2017) have called me and asked me why…
“What’s up with him? Why is he calling me and asking me NOT to do business with you? Why is he asking me NOT to put a team in your event? Why is he telling me you are a bad guy?”
I NEVER know what to say when I get these calls… Each time I am at once surprised and impressed…
I’m surprised because I NEVER had crossed words with HIM… EVER… For years, I would do anything he asked…
“Can you speak at my event?”
“Sure… what day, what time?”
“Can you record a promo for my events?”
“No problem… I’ll stop by your crib on my way home…”
I would attend most of HIS events… Pay at the door and watch the games… You know, SUPPORT his shit!
I am impressed by his stamina! This guy is relentless… He doesn’t let up… He just keeps calling… He just keeps smearing…
Initially, it took me by surprise when I started getting the calls… We have so many friends in common… I never imagined he would wage a smear campaign…
Why would he? I always supported him… FOR YEARS!
But it’s been relentless… Like I said, I got another call tonight…
“What up with him? I told him I never had any issues with you… I told him you helped kids in my program…”
“He said I should stay away from you… what’s wrong with him?”
I told my friend, I NEVER did anything to HIM… NOTHING! EVER…
I told my friend… I still consider HIM my friend… One day he will see that I am NOT his enemy…
Indeed, I wish him the very best…
When you get the call… and you will get the call…
Just tell him Del said, “He wishes you much success!”
Just tell him Del said, “He hopes your daughter is well!”
Just tell him Del said, “He hopes your health is good!”
Just tell him Del said, “He’ll see you at your next event!”
Do unto others as you would have them do to you” Luke 6:13
Philadelphia, PA (November 17, 2017) – The inductees for enshrinement into the Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 are:
Earl Monroe
Pre 1970s
Earl Monroe, (Bartram/Winston-Salem/NBA)
Wayne Hightower, (Overbrook/Kansas/NBA)
Bobby Lewis (Bartram/South Carolina State/ABA)
Cliff Anderson (Edison/St. Joseph’s/NBA)
Mike Bantom (Roman Catholic/St. Joseph’s/NBA)
Gene Banks
1970s
Chubby Cox, (Roxborough/Villanova/USF/NBA)
Clarence Tillman (West Philadelphia/Kentucky/Rutgers)
Gene Banks (West Philadelphia/Duke/NBA)
Michael Brooks (West Catholic/La Salle/NBA)
Lewis Lloyd (Overbrook/Drake/NBA)
Lionel Simmons
1980s
Lionel Simmons (Southern/La Salle/NBA)
Hank Gathers (Dobbins/USC/Loyola-Maymount)
Rico Washington (Ben Franklin/Weber State)
Dawn Staley (Dobbins/Virginia/WNBA/Olympics)
Linda Page (Dobbins/NC State)
2000s
Eddie Griffin (Roman Catholic/Seton Hall/NBA)
Maureece Rice (Strawberry Mansion/George Washington/D-League)
Sean Singletary (Penn Charter/Virginia/NBA)
Kyle Lowry (Cardinal Dougherty/Villanova/NBA)
Jeff Jones (Bonner/Virginia
Mr. and Mrs. Rahim Thompson
Claude Gross Community Service Award
Rahim Thompson, Founder & Commissioner, Chosen League
Friend of the Black Basketball HOF
Joe Crawford (O’Hara/NBA Referee)
To be eligible for nomination, a player or coach must have played in the Philadelphia Public League, Catholic League, Inter-Ac League or Friends League in high school. Five (5) players are inducted annually from each of the following periods pre-1970s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Factors such as a player’s influence on other Philadelphia players, length and depth of playing career and the body of work, innovation and national recognition are taken into consideration.
The Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame 2017 Inductions will be held at HERO Community Center in Philadelphia on December 26, 2017. Details and ticket on-sale information will also be announced later. All Inductees will ultimately represented in the Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame At the FiDonce Player Development Center.
Bios and images of the 2017 Black Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees will be available at http://www.blackcagersports.com. Media credential applications will be available in November 20, 2017 via the Hall of Fame’s online pressroom at http://www.blackcagersports.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 25, 2017) – On Sunday, September 24, 2017 supporters of Full Court Press on ALS gathered for a VIP Reception to raise awareness and spell out the non-profit’s annual plans at The Park at 14th in Washington D.C. More than two hundred fifty prominent basketball coaches, philanthropists and humanitarians came out for an incredible evening that celebrated the transformational work and the ambitious agenda of Full Court Press on ALS.
We had fun. We raised funds. And we felt incredibly inspired to help move the bar closer to finding a cure for a disease that does not receive a lot of attention due to the limited number of people affected by it. Full Court Press on ALS is committed to closing the gap in funding for medical research and raising awareness. Through educational seminars and collegiate basketball games, Full Court Press on ALS seeks to raise funds to assist in finding a cure for this debilitating disease.
Howard Coach, Kevin Nickelberry, MD Eastern-Shore Coach, Bobby Collins & Full Court Press on ALS Co-Founder Michael Hornets
Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported us! Prominent guests such as University of Pennsylvania Head Coach, Steve Donahue, La Salle University Head Coach, John Giannini and Howard University Head Coach, Kevin Nickelberry enjoyed a delicious dinner in a beautiful space, had good conversations with friends old and new, and felt renewed excitement and hope throughout the evening program.
It was a very special night, as Full Court Press on ALS celebrated a formal partnership with the Ivy League and spelled out ambitious goals for the 2017-2018 basketball season. We were inspired by our Board Chair, Marco Morcos, Coach Donahue, FOX News critic Jesse Waters and other speakers. All were provided extraordinary examples of leadership, determination and success.
Pennsylvania Coach Steve Donahue (L) and Fox News critic Jesse Waters (R)
The VIP reception was one of our most important events to-date, bringing together a distinguished group of coaches in the nation’s capital. The gathering reaffirmed the commitment among participants to to help major ALS research and medical organizations have an annual revenue stream for research and experimental treatment trials.
Every dollar raised through collegiate basketball games produces ripple effects in the fight to find a cure. Because of the efforts of these coaches, doctors and graduate students will be to conduct innovative research, conduct treatment trials and contribute to our understanding of this horrific disease. Until a cure is found, we will relentlessly deploy a FULL COURT PRESS ON ALS!
Marco Morcos, CEO & Co-Founder, Full Court Press on ALS
About Full Court Press on ALS: Full Court Press on ALS was founded with the goal of finding a cure for a disease that does not receive a lot of attention due to the limited number of people affected by it. This leaves medical and research establishments relying heavily on private funding.Full Court Press on ALS was started to provide funding assistance to major medical organizations and to raise awareness about the disease. Through educational seminars and collegiate basketball games, Full Court Press on ALS seeks to raise funds that will help to find a cure for this crippling disease.
Contact:
Marco Morcos, CEO & Co-Founder
201.895.3250
morcos@fullcourtpressonals.com
October 7, 2017 – Vorhees, NJ – Marco Morcos, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Full Court Press on ALS, 501(c)(3), announced the formation of the “Full Court Press on ALS, All-American Game.” The game will feature twenty-four of the nation’s finest high school basketball players. Delgreco K. Wilson, Founder/Publisher, Black Cager Sports Media has been brought on as the Director of High School Events for Full Court Press for ALS.
(L-R)Marco Morcos, Co-Founder, Kevin Nickelberry, Howard University Head Coach, Delgreco K. Wilson, Director of HS Events, (seated)Michael Honrychs, Co-Founder
Wilson noted, “The Full Court Press on ALS, All-American Game will provide an opportunity for us to greatly increase awareness about this debilitating disease. Also, I’m a firm believer in exposing young people to opportunities to do great things. Over the years, many of these great high school players will become ambassadors for this worthy cause and carry the baton further than any of us can imagine.”
“We are only here for a short time. We should all make a fundamental effort to leave this world better than when we first encountered it!”
Michael Honrychs, Co-Founder, Full Court Press on ALS
Kentucky Coach, John Calipari & Michael Honrychs, Co-Founder, Full Court Press on ALS
DISCOVER ABOUT ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a nervous system (neurological) disease that causes muscle weakness and impactsphysical function.ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who wasdiagnosed with it. ALS is a type of motor neuron disease that causes nerve cells togradually break down and die. In the United States, ALS is sometimes called “motorneuron disease.” In most cases, doctors do not know why ALS occurs. A small numberof cases are perhaps inherited.ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or sometimeswith slurring of speech. Eventually, ALS can affect your ability to control the musclesyou need to move, speak, eat, and breathe. ALS cannot be cured, and it eventually leads todeath, typically within two to five years of diagnosis.
On Tuesday, October 3, 2017, Mayor Kenney,Superintendent Bill Hite, and others at the top of the city leadership totem pole announced a plan to organize and expand sports opportunities for school-age youth throughout Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC) was debuted as not just as a way to develop athletes, but as a way to spur genuine social change.
Like I said… Shit sounds real good…
Everybody round the way understands the positive role sports can play in the socialization of urban youth. In theory, everyone will be on board… In practice, naaaaaah….
School District of Philadelphia Superintendent, Bill Hite (kneeling)
The key players said all the right things… Superintendent Hite emphatically declared, “We need to be providing a system so that ALL young people have opportunities.”
The newly minted, PYSC Executive Director, Beth Devine hit the right notes when she said they will “build the game plan for the biggest and best sports development system in the country… Sports, can change a person’s trajectory.”
Beth Devine, Executive Director, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative
Damn… That shit sounds good!
The heavy hitters are onboard… Otis Hackney, the city’s chief education officer; Michael DiBerardinis, managing director; and David Montgomery, chairman of the Phillies, have been charged with leading a new task force to analyze the state of youth sports and youth development and to make actionable recommendations for building a citywide system of such programs.
Lofty and ambitious goals for sure… Nonetheless, really good stuff!
But, I’m sure this seems like a daunting and highly complex task. Philadelphia has over 300,000 school age children and a sprawling disconnected (and frequently dysfunctional) network of youth sport organizations, recreation programs and school-based leagues.
I’ve met both Mayor Kenney and Superintendent Hite. I like them both… They seem like earnest and dedicated public servants pursuing the common good.
As a person intimately familiar with the complex and dysfunctional nature of the disparate sub-systems the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative is trying to corral, I humbly and respectfully offer one modest suggestion…
STOP FUCKING OVER Philadelphia’s kids!
Let me provide some clear examples of what I’m talking about…
While the big shots were downtown outlining their plans to develop “a system so that ALL young people have opportunities,” middle management level city employees were holed up at one of the oldest and largest of the German-American clubs in Philadelphia. A committee of District 12 Athletic Directors were meeting at the Cannstatter Volksfest-Verin Club to CRUSH the sports dreams of two young Philadelphia Boys.
While the city’s elites rolled out their plan in City Hall, 12.7 miles away, the middle managers were actually changing the trajectory of two young Black boys. Unfortunately, the direction of the change, however, is not what Ms. Devine had in mind.
T.J. Taylor is a 17 year old boy with a 3.9 GPA. He comes from a stable two-parent home. Extremely bright, he has already exceeded the 1,000 point barrier on his SAT exam. His parents Rodney and Joy Taylor have instilled all the proper values into their son. T.J. has impeccable manners and is always extremely respectful.
T.J. Taylor and his mother Joy Taylor before their District 12 hearing
T.J. was ranked in the top 20 of his class at Boys Latin. An inquisitive young man with high aspirations, T.J. did a lot of research and soon realized that he would be much more competitive for admission to elite Universities like Colby, Oberlin, Morehouse, Swarthmore and Bates if he was ranked in the top 1 or 2 of his class. With the annual cost of these schools in the $60,000-$70,000 range, T.J. and his parents felt is was worth it to transfer to, Overbrook, his neighborhood school where he would have a shot at Valedictorian status. A quarter million dollars is still a LOT of money for some of us. Besides a close friend of his was murdered just blocks away from Boys Latin.
He made the move… A sound, rational well-thought out FAMILY decision…
Another factor working in Taylor’s favor is the fact that he is a strong and solidly-built basketball player. While he is not among the city’s elite, he is a very solid, tough hard-nosed player with a sophisticated understanding of the game. A Philly guard! They are always in demand at all collegiate levels. Like two of Philly’s very best HS guards Shipley’s Sam Sessoms and Cardinal O’Hara’s Antwuan “Booty” Butler, Taylor’s skills were forged during weekly Bottom Ballers wars in the quaint and extremely hot City Recreation Center located at 34th and Haverford. The Bottom Ballers Basketball Club, arguably, has routinely produced some of the most competitive and well-rounded guards in Philadelphia. T.J. Taylor is a Bottom Baller.
His basketball skills combined with his strong academic profile make him an ideal prospect for NCAA Division 3 programs with high admissions standards. With a strong senior season, Taylor would garner attention from all the top D3 programs in the mid-Atlantic region for sure. He would be able to pursue his dream of playing college basketball while matriculating at one of the nation’s finest institutions.
Socialized largely through sports, Taylor is a poster-child for the program envisioned by our well intentioned leaders Mayor Kenney and Superintendent Hite.
Just one problem though…
At the exact same time the big dogs were in Center City extolling the virtues of sports participation, middle management level school employees were running different play…
Somebody needs to tell Kenney and Hite they calling audibles out there on the field…
“Fuck T.J. and his aspirations!”
While the cameras were rolling in City Hall, PIAA District 12 committee members ruled that T.J. Taylor was ineligible to play basketball at Overbrook for his senior year…
Like Devine said… “Sports can change a person’s trajectory.” I saw it happen.
Alas, on this day, there was a doubleheader… Next up…
Yazid Powell transferred out of Boys Latin High School in late February. He enrolled at West Philadelphia High School. By early May, Powell and his mother, Romaine Sims, determined that West was not a good fit after his grades dropped precipitously.
Yazid Powell and his mother Romaine Sims
She ruled out her neighborhood high school, John Bartram. She cited repeated violence such as when a student “knocked out a teacher” among other concerns. She also felt that Yazid was too familiar with all of the kids at Bartram. She decided to enroll him at Overbrook High School.
While Yazid DID NOT EVER PLAY AT WEST PHILADELPHIA HS, he did compete with the Philly Hurricanes basketball club in the late spring and throughout the summer.
While playing with the Hurricanes, Yazid exhibited breathtaking athleticism. Finally healthy after a nagging ankle injury he BLEW UP on the grassroots/AAU circuit. Yazid, literally can hit his head on a 10 foot basketball rim. A very good shooter, his range extends well beyond the three-point line. He caught the eyes of college coaches. He has several Division 2 scholarship offers and many Division 1 programs have promised to come watch him play during his senior year.
Ms. Sims was feeling wonderful… Having lived through the murder of Yazid’s father and watching his 28 year old brother end up in the penitentiary, her young son was on his way.
Sports would be the vehicle he uses to escape the streets of Philadelphia and access higher education…
Philadelphia Mayor, Jim Kenney
Just like Mayor Kenney and Superintendent Hite envisioned…
Then middle management called another audible…
At the request of the West Philadelphia High School Athletic Director, supported by the Boys Basketball coach, the District 12 committee ruled Yazid ineligible to compete his senior year at Overbrook.
Another trajectory changed by sports… Beth Devine seemed prescient…
Even though Yazid NEVER donned a WPHS uniform, they were determined to keep him from playing at Overbrook. Their argument won the day. They won. Their achieved their goal!
Seriously… Think about that shit…
At the exact same time Superintendent Hite were standing before the assembled mainstream media outlets contending “We need to be providing a system so that ALL young people have opportunities” his employees were working diligently to DENY an opportunity to a young fatherless boy living in Philadelphia’s public housing and a mild-mannered kid with a 3.9 GPA.
What the hell are we doing?
The grandiose objectives outlined for the PYSC are admirable. I truly hope they succeed…
Lord knows we need all hands on deck.
For now though… I’ll settle for simpler, tangible and more easily obtained goal…
The Black Cager 