1998 OAK ST PARK CHAMPIONSHIP “MOORE ST. vs DOWNTOWN” (R.I.P. Lafton Thompson, Mike Murder)

Once upon a time in a small place called Norristown, PA there was a legendary Summer League that would draw crowds equal to Rucker Park & 16th & Susquehanna in Philadelphia. I remember the day Kobe Bryant played when I just knew him as the nice kid who played over in Ardmore’s Summer League and was playing at Lower Merion, I remember Chrestmont had a team with Abington’s current coach Chuck Grasty and one of the best players I’ve ever seen at the park Junie Lewis aka “Moon Beam”. Those were the days! Summer leagues over the years were replaced by AAU tournaments, in door Pro-Ams, and empty playgrounds. Most recently the traditional Summer Leagues are making a surge. Shoutout to all the people making it happen. This game is dedicated to all those who grew up playing and earning their stripes on the blacktop.