Purple & Gold Code, Basketball 2008-09

Purple & Gold Code
Basketball 2008-09

Cody Yoka is a senior at Roman Catholic and has had a few stints with the varsity baseball team. He'll be covering mostly Roman games with a few involving Public League teams mixed in (Masterman and Boys' Latin).
Contact Cody at lilfootballkid2@msn.com.

FEB. 14
CATHOLIC LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL
Roman 73, La Salle 49

First off I want to start out the article by saying I’m sorry I’ve failed to do writeups for the past few games. I’ve been busy. The life of a senior is tough between school, kairos, coaching my basketball team, social life, and attending these basketball games. I’ve had zero time for anything. Chester and Judge writeups will not come… So anyway let’s get on to Roman-La Salle, Part Two.
I was happy to be spared of the first half of this blowout because I showed up late. The long and out-of-the-way trip to Ryan was the reason I missed the first half. However, not to my surprise, when I walked in, Roman already had the game in hand being up by a bunch. To my surprise, I saw my brother sitting up in the stands. Thanks Rich, if I would have known you got a ride I wouldn’t have wasted all that gas on the ride up. I got over it.
Shrek, Bow wow, and the rest of the La Salle Explorers came out fired up in the second half but to no avail. Roman and Rakeem Brookins showed that even though it’s Wayns’ World but we are living on Planet Rahk. I don’t really know how that works so ask Lil’ Wayne or Pat Weiler. Brookins led the way with 31 points. Despite about 69 La Salle time-outs and changing their game plans in the second half, Roman still won by 22.
Game highlights: Koron “I throw it down with authority” Reed caught an oop on a break, and dunked it on top of about 3 La Salle defenders. Center Anthony “Hellman’s” Mayo got an unwarranted technical with 2:30 seconds to go for embarrassing a La Salle defender by dunking on top of him with no regard for human life and then he proceeded to hang there on top of him. Also, former SFX guard Marvin Champ logged playoff minutes along with senior Brandon Moultrie. On a sadder note, La Salle’s student section hired stand ins; but still, the heavily outnumbered Roman student section was heard throughout the building.
Celebrity guests: Slow day…
Side note: Also, Big ups to Boys' Latin. Even though they lost to Math, Civics and Sciences the other day, they had a good season by making the states in their first full varsity season. Boys' Latin AD Joey Dunn was excited about the upcoming baseball season when I talked to him today.

JAN. 29
CATHOLIC RED
Roman 58, La Salle 42

Today, La Salle showed up at Broad and Vine very early and excited. I figured they were going over plays and talking game plan in their little pregame huddle. However, I was not very surprised to find out what they were really doing…AP Chemistry, Physics, and math problems. Once I saw this atrocity, I already checked down a W for Roman and started writing the column.
Also, when La Salle walked in, I noticed something a little funny about their team. Amongst the Eddie Joyner-Mitchells and the Tom Cooneys of their team, I saw two illegal transfers: Lil Bow Wow (might have been Tony Chennault, not quite sure), and even worse and more noticeable the great Disney character Shrek. I mean with the Philadelphia high school circuit becoming transfer crazy in the last few years, I didn’t believe it would ever get to this level. Oh yeah and Shrek does look cooler in person. Roman looked a little puzzled at first; I wouldn’t be too thrilled about guarding Bow Weezy wearing his Michael Jordan sneakers or a big mad green giant either. Despite a tough first half, Roman made adjustments in their defensive scheme to accommodate the two players and charged ahead for the win in the second half. All in all, it was a slow game to watch. In a nutshell, La Salle would bring up the ball, pass it to Bow Wow, then hold it for about three minutes, then pass it to Tom “I Threw Up Mad Bricks Today” Cooney. He would then shoot and miss. After the miss, they hoped that Shrek would pull down the offensive board and eat the ball so Roman couldn’t take it and run with it. This approach really slowed down the game. Roman still fought through it.
Highlights: Rakeem “I Still Love the Enthusiasm” Brookins had multiple and-ones toward the end of the game to ice it for the Cahillites. Koron “Get That Weak Stuff Outta Here!” Reed played stellar defense today, recorded a few blocks, and had a dunk in the fourth quarter that brought down the house. Good games were also turned in by Roman’s Andre Horne and Kevin Regan. Lastly, probably the most exciting play of the game, La Salle senior, Joe “Happy Feet” Brown broke the record for most jab steps without dribbling. Roman’s Anthony Mayo did a good job playin' D, not wavering after 62 ½ straight jab steps.
Celebrity Guests: Spike Lee à first time ever Spike has been up in Roman's gym. Rumor has it that he is making a commercial with the footage he captured of Roman’s student section. Brian Westbrook. Fiona à Shreks girlfriend. Destiny’s Child was also in attendance à not very happy about them cheering for Bow Wow and La Salle but you can’t win them all.
Side Notes: We all have heard about the injury to Maalik “It's Still Wayns’ World” Wayns. Just wanted to let you know that the Roman community is behind you and hopes for a speedy and full recovery.
Other side note: Happy birthday Dad!

Roman 70, North Catholic 62
Not realizing the seriousness of my column, I was surprised to see that I have already received loads of fan mail. Thanks for the support and keep it coming.
North Catholic was the site of tonight’s game….The Pit, I think it’s called? It probably should be renamed the armpit. The gym was hot and caused many, including myself, to sweat. As a result, I caught a few whiffs of a not so attractive odor. Regardless, I shook it off and went on spectated to the best of my ability.
Getting into the car to go to the game, I had flashbacks of the Roman-North game earlier this year at Gwynedd-Mercy. I drove up in a packed car with the likes of Pat Dunn, former All-Catholic pitcher for Roman; Tommy McGee, All-Catholic second basemen and by far the most unnoticed player in the Catholic League during his tenure; Evan Hunt, former Markward Award Winner and All-Public pitcher/first baseman for Masterman; and Richie Yoka, (brother) former Roman first baseman and currently known as DJ RICHIE RICH, hottest on the East Coast. With all of these megastars we needed a little extra security to get to our box seats but that’s neither here nor there…the point I was trying to make is that the second game was a lot like the first game, close. So about last night:
It was a hotly contested game in a very packed arena. People were sitting on the floor and on steps to see the number one and two teams in the Catholic Red face off. Roman and their big three set the tone early. Maalik “It's Still Wayns' World” Wayns set the tone early with great ballhandling and a few early dishes to set up some open shots for Rakeem “ I love your enthusiasm every time you score” Brookins. Koron “Get that weak stuff outta here!” Reed also set the tone defensively and recorded two blocks on the game. Roman looked to run away with the game. Woody “you probably don’t remember me but I played against you in grade school” Redding and Rakeem “Its not Christmas anymore” Christmas were ineffective in the early going. Just when Roman was about to run away with the game, our favorite referee, who wears a horrible toupee I might add, made a phantom technical foul call on Mr. Wayns. Shortly after, Maalik was taken out because of foul trouble and North made their push. A few dunks by Rakeem Christmas Mutumbo and a few threes by Woody “the nickname I gave you is too long to retype” Redding later, it was a close game in the fourth quarter. Then Roman, with the backing of a small student section packed into a corner, made a few highlight reel plays to win the game. Late in the game Rahk drove to the basket, got fouled and with his back to the basket (Dwayne Wade like) threw up a circus shot for an and onnnnnnnneeeeee! This was one of the crazier plays I have seen in person. Even better, with a minute left and Roman up one, Maalik “It's still Wayns' World” wanted to show everyone on the court that it's still his world. Maalik went And One mixtape style on North crossing over Woody Redding, then tiptoeing the sideline, then cutting back in to shake another defender, then almost losing control still yanks another guy, then (all these thens) drove to the basket where I thought he was gonna lay it up. However with the court vision of a Villanova point guard he kicked it out to Rahk “Mr. Enthusiasm” Brookins for an open jumper. Not only did he hit the jumper, (not really a question since he shoots like a hundred percent from the field) but he also hit it with 6-9 Christmas bearing down on him and fouling him for another and onnnnnnnnnnnnneeee! That put the game on ice.
Game Notes: Brookins ended up with 31 points and Wayns with 19. Freshman Andre “He’s in my homeroom” Horne had a good game with 11 points as well. Christmas had eights blocks I think (kinda ridiculous).
Celebrity Guests: Bob Procknow à this write up any better?, Vince Tarducci, Dennis DiGiovanni, George the T-shirt guy, Janet Dollard made an appearance as well.
Side Note: My 10-12 basketball team remained undefeated in a barn burner today against Tyler Hunt (Masterman forward) and Maurice Watson’s (Boy’s Latin PG) team. Big ups to Central statistician and varsity second baseman Davey Kremer for helping out.

JAN. 20
CATHOLIC RED
Roman 39, SJ Prep 27
Sitting in the Roman student section last Wednesday night versus the Prep, the idea dawned on me. I turned to my main man Brian “Have it your way” “BK” Karakaedos (or however it's spelled), and said, “Lets start doing writeups for Ted.” And thus, the Purple and Gold Code was born. That said, let's get onto the game.
Having first thought of the idea at the Roman-Prep game the other night, I thought it would be fitting that my first column be about this game. Not the most exciting game (especially for Prep fans), however, it was a defensive struggle that turned into a solid win for Roman.
Before we get into the game, big ups to Maalik Wayns' family for supplying the student section with free T-shirts!!! Greatly appreciated. I haven’t taken mine off since I put it on (that includes sleeping, bathing, at school, everywhere). Anyways, the first quarter started off very slow. The Prep offense (which was worse than watching paint dry) was led by senior Pete “I look like Ronald Weasley from Harry Potter” Buzby. The Prep executed Speedy Morris’ game plan for about the first 4 minutes and 39 seconds of the game. By the way Speedy, I really like your argyle sweater. Where can I get one, Macy’s? Strawbridges? Walmart? Anyways, congratulations to the Prep for winning the first half of the first quarter. However, after that point the Prep golf clap of approval was silenced. I don’t know if it was the great defense played by Roman, the raucous student section getting on the Prep guys, or a combination of both, however, Prep ended up getting away from their plan of holding the ball for three and a half minutes then taking a shot. Roman ran away with the game and won by twelve. I’ll save you the time and get to the highlights: Kev “Who said I can only play Quarterback?” Regan and Maalik “Yes, It's Still Wayns' World for the Fourth Year in a Row” Wayns both had and-ones in front of the Roman student section. Koron Reed left his mark on the game with a SLAM JAM put-back late in the game on top of Pete “Ronald Weasley” and about three and a half other Prep players (but who's really counting anyways?). Rakeem Brookins also had a solid game.
On a sadder note, senior Brandon Moultrie did not get any time. Maybe against North Friday. Oh yeah, and North, we’ll be ready.
Celebrity Guest Appearances: Swiffer Girlsà Great job sweeping those floors! Ronald Weasley impersonating Prep center Pete Buzby. Thomas “T-Mac” McKeever. Ted Silary…hmmm wait a minute, Ted, where were you? It's only one of the biggest rivalries in the city. Oh, I guess that’s why I’m here now. (JK)