4Th Street Playground: The Mecca

By Ronald Lee Fleming

Never underestimate the importance of a playground such as 4th Street (Mount Vernon, New York). Or an institution, such as a Boys Club
& Girls Club, or a Community Center, in its ability to knit people together. No matter where you go in this life you take a piece of your community with you. One Love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514488249

Ronald Lee Fleming

The Rise of the Ravens- Is a multi-layered work by author Ronald Lee Fleming. he starts off by telling his readers about the small forgotten town of California City, its origin, and its forgotten dream of becoming the next Palm Springs! A resort community in the Mojave Desert! A city who lost its way, until awakened by its new basketball coach and resurgent high school basketball team. In telling the story of the high school team's rise from obscurity; the author takes the time to educate his readers on some of America's history which is not widely known or shared in most history books. He highlights some prominent Americans rarely discussed in classrooms k-12. The author intends to educate and inform his readers, and leave them with a message, you too can rise up and take your rightful place in society.

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INTRODUCTION

A guy on his way to the hoop thinking he has an uncontested layup only to see his shot attempt get stapled to the backboard. What the @#$% happened; you’ve just been introduced to Bill Pleas! It would happen that fast; not only would Pleas catch your shot on the glass, he’d scrape it off the board and start a fast break in the opposite direction.

People would come far and wide to see the legends of 4th Street Playground play their special brand of basketball. And it didn’t matter who they were playing against; top billing always went to the guys from Money Earning Mount Vernon.

You’d think you and your boys were all that and a bag of chips; only to come to 4th Street Playground and get your feelings hurt! You and your boys would be part of a long list of hoop hopefuls who got turned back after falling short of making their mark.

Protect This House (4th Street Playground) is what Mount Vernon ballers were all about! Pick-up games were mono-e-mono affairs with guys putting their talents on display. Nobody wanted to lose because the wait to get back on the court was unbearable. So if we treated each other with distain; you can only imagine what we did to outsiders.

There were other parks in Mount Vernon where you could go play a nice safe game of basketball. But 4th Street playground was not one of them.

CHAPTER 1

Original Ballers

4th Street Playground is located on 8th Avenue and 4th Street behind Levister Towers Projects. On one side of 4th Street Playground was the Old Folks Home that later became the Mount Vernon Health Center.

And across the street from 4th Street Playground on the southwest corner is Greater Centennial A. M. E. Zion Church. Greater Centennial A. M. E. Zion Church made Sunday the areas busiest day of the week until the weather changed and it was nice enough to play basketball outside.

And once the weather changed from winter to spring, and spring to summer, 4th Street Playground and the surrounding area changed dramatically! By late afternoon during the week traffic would be unbearable with people trying to get to the park as early as possible to watch basketball games late into the night. And if you were a tourist not knowing anything about the area you’d think the Bits and Pieces was in concert. But it was the basketball players who were doing the entertaining with an entire community waiting to see them perform.

Parked on every side of 4th Street Playground were food vendors selling their wares; and making it possible for you to eat a good meal while watching the games. As a youth I never thought about the social and financial aspects of 4th Streets’ Summer Basketball League. Like most youth all I wanted to do was play ball. But our community benefited both socially and financially from the summer league being at 4th Street Playground.

People came from far and wide to take in the games filled with top flight basketball talent. And these talented players came to 4th Street Playground to compete against Mount Vernon’s finest. Think about it; professional basketball players came into the neighborhood to play ball and you didn’t have to buy a ticket!

In the height of 4th Street’s popularity you could find expensive cars parked on every side of street; as Mercedes, Jaguars, and Cadillacs were parked along its perimeter. Regular folks got the opportunity to see what type of cars the pro basketball players drove. The kind of wealth I’m describing brought out every element New York had to offer; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It was the summer of 1968 and I had just finished the 9th grade at the Annex (Mount Vernon’s freshman only school); and got picked up by the DDJs to play summer league basketball in 4th Street Playground. 4th Street Playground was the Mecca for basketball in the city of Mount Vernon. And if you could play basketball in 4th Street Playground, you could play basketball anywhere!

Pick-up games in 4th Street Playground became Rites of Passage; you had to go through some stuff to stick and stay on the main court. And once you got to center court you didn’t want to leave. In 1968 my team came in 4th place. We had so many guys on our team everybody didn’t get trophies. But trophies wasn’t what the 4th Street Playground experience was all about; the 4th Street Playground experience was about sticking around to see the men play. Because it was the men who showed up and showed out!

One of those men was Rodney Smalls; a fierce competitor who kept a distorted look on his face. And that distorted look on Rodney’s face meant he was strictly about the business of busting your behind on the court. Rodney Smalls was one of the first 4th Street Playground legends I met. You could walk by 4th Street Playground in the wee hours of the morning and find Rodney working on his game.

As a little boy trying to learn the game I saw Rodney do his thing against some top notch talent, they were guys from out of town trying to gain a foot hole in 4th Street Playground. Not on Rodney’s watch; those guys from out of town would be turned away by Rodney and his crew who went straight to Protect This House mode. To get more of a prospective on Rodney Smalls I interviewed one of his contemporaries, a local legend who happened to be one of my mentors. I was told Rodney was a guy who brought New York City basketball flavor to Mount Vernon’s 4th Street Playground.

Now those of us in the know, who are up on Mount Vernon basketball history, know Rodney Smalls is the older brother of legendary long range shooter Galen Squid Smalls. Squid Smalls is considered by some to be the best pure shooter to come out of the city of Mount Vernon. And Rodney in his own right knew where the basket was on the court; he wasn’t just a shooter, Rodney was a playmaker! And out of the two Smalls brothers Rodney broke on the scene first. Rodney spent a lot of time on the playgrounds of New York City; from the Bronx to Brooklyn and points in between. And as it was stated to me; Rodney Smalls was the complete basketball player.

I was also told that Rodney Smalls at about 6'2 could play almost anywhere he wanted to on the basketball court. And that Rodney was an adept passer who could shoot with either hand. Rodney was said to be a slight hand artist who could deliver the ball to a cutting teammate as easy as cashing bottles at Nana’s Grocery Store. I asked if Rodney ever played for Mount Vernon High School and was told that Rodney had no time for regular school. Rodney got his formal education from the school of Hard Knocks!"

The first professional player I ever met was also a legend from the neighborhood; at 6'7" I marveled at how well Rudy Bennett handled the ball. Rudy was a smooth basketball player; and to my amazement he could play multiple positions on the court. Rudy Bennett decided against playing in the American Basketball Association, instead he elected to pursue a professional basketball career outside the United States.

History Notes:

Neighborhood star Rudy Bennett was my first introduction to professional basketball. Rudy was from Mount Vernon and was drafted by the American Basketball Association out of New York Tech in 1969. And before Rudy was a star at Tech, he did his thing at Mount Vernon High; where he averaged 18 points his senior year and as many rebounds earning All-County honors.

Butch Plains Harris was Rudy Bennett’s teammate; Butch Harris was a 6'4 Sky Walker!" Butch could get up and down the basketball court with the best of them; and had the kind of leaping ability that made you ask what was he going to do next?

Playing in the same summer league division as Rudy Bennett and Butch Harris were the Mount Vernon All-Stars. The Mount Vernon All-Stars consisted of the 1967 Westchester County Division #1 Champs; featuring center Bill Pleas, forward Galen Smalls, guards Sal Sullivan, Kenny Covington, and David Gray. Note four of the five members of the 1967 starting five were college students; with David Gray having just completed his senior year-class of 1968. And even though the 1967 team was one year removed from its championship season, the guys were still the darlings of Mount Vernon.

I would stay around to see the late games between the local stars and guys like Nate Tiny Archibald and Walt Simon. Tiny brought his New York City team to Mount Vernon; along with his unique style of play. While Walt Simon, a Los Angeles native, played on another team that featured pro players. Both Nate and Walt look to become the darlings of 4th Street Playground but the locals weren’t having it; and that set the stage for some fantastic basketball.

Nate Tiny Archibald was a 6'1" point guard and playground legend from the South Bronx and DeWitt Clinton High School. Tiny was a blur on the court and too quick for one person to guard. So it took a collective effort to corral Tiny who could get to the hoop anytime he wanted and was a willing passer.

History Notes:

Nathaniel Archibald was born September 2, 1948, in New York City. Nate attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx; and went on to attend college at the University of Texas at El-Paso. Archibald was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals of the National Basketball Association in 1970. And in 1991 Tiny was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Later in 1996 Archibald was named as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.

Walt Simon was a 6'6" guy who could handle the ball. Walt was a smooth player who played the game at his own pace. And when you’re a do-it-all type like Walt other guys line up to play with you.

History Notes:

Walt Simon was an All-State and All-American basketball player at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles before moving on to attend Fullerton College. Walt was a two time Junior College State Player of the Year. And after attending Fullerton College, Walt Simon received a scholarship to the University of Utah. In 1968 Walt Simon was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics of the NBA and Denver Rockets of the ABA.

The 1968 4th Street Summer League featured another Mount Vernon standout player in Richie Garner. Richie Garner was a 6'0" point guard who went on to star at Manhattan College. Richie would break records and win many awards throughout his four year college career.

History Notes:

Richard Richie Garner was born in Mount Vernon, New York; he played for the Manhattan College Jaspers from 1968-1972. And during his four year career, Richie scored over 1,000 points, had a career shooting percentage of better than .500, and set a (since-broken) single season school record 121 assists in the 1971-72 season.

Garner was the first player from Manhattan College to win the Haggerty Award, an annual award presented to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area.

Richie was drafted by both the NBA New York Knicks and the ABA Indiana Pacers; and even though he never played in either league, Richie will always be remembered as one of Mount Vernon’s best basketball players.

Other notable players came over from Mount Vernon playgrounds they dominated during the week to play with 4th Street’s finest when the summer league began. People like 3rd Avenue’s Bobby Lee who was a fine physical specimen and a dominant player at 3rd Avenue Playground.

The first time I saw Bob Lee, he looked like a Greek God playing basketball. The guy was 6'2 and looked like he was chiseled out of stone. Bob was the best of the best from 3rd Avenue Playground. And believe me when I tell you; 3rd Avenue Playground produced a lot of good basketball players! Lets start with the McBride brothers featuring Dugger. And then there was the Wells boys Quincy, Tony, and David; and the McQay brothers. Not to mention or leave out Mr. Simon Sharrock or David Sharpe aka Dr. Jazz. And last but not least Mike Evans, aka the Human Reel!"

They played a rock-em-sock-em brand of basketball at 3rd Avenue Playground; which was not for the faint of heart. And that rock-em-sock-em style of basketball is what Bob Lee brought to 4th Street Playground. In high school Bob Lee was the 6th man on a team that featured Bill Pleas, Galen Smalls, Kenny Covington, Sal Sullivan, and David Gray. And when it was time to replace one of the starters Bob Lee got the call. Bob was always chopping at the bit ready to go into the game and do his thing.

Bobby Lee was a wild card who dominated play at 3rd Avenue Playground. But while playing with his high school crew in 4th Street Playground, Bob sometimes found it difficult to blend his talents with others. Bobby’s high school coach Vinny Olson kept him in check at that venue. But there was no Coach Olson in the 4th Street Summer League.

Bobby’s ability to go high in the air, snatch a rebound, dribble coast to coast, and finish at the rim with a thunderous dunk drove the Mount Vernon crowd crazy. But Bobby would fall in love with his own game and do tricks that would eventually get him in trouble with his teammates.

I blamed Bobby’s deviating from the script in 4th Street Playground to what went on in 3rd Avenue Playground; a place I avoided like the plague! Why? I felt out of place in 3rd Avenue Playground and no matter how many times I tried to hang out there my feeling never changed.

When I passed through 3rd Avenue Playground I saw a lot of drinking and smoking going on; and that was a problem for me. I wasn’t going to play against people who were under the influence!

There were other parks and playgrounds in Mount Vernon besides 4th Street where guys could ball; places like old and new 7th Avenue Playgrounds. And then there was 6th Avenue Playground where the Williams brothers Gus, Ray, Sam, Charles, and David honed their skills. There was Hartley Park; which was a beautifully manicured park on the North side that featured multiple basketball courts filled with players vying for court supremacy.

If you thought you could waltz into Hartley Park and take over you were in for a rude awakening! I went to Hartley Park to play with and against Gary Turn Johnson, Charley Turane, and Joe Shorter; each guy was good at playing the game and would give you the business when you came into their park.

At times I ventured to the Heights and Graham Junior High School where Mike Young and Gary Press played ball. Once again it was a different kind of run than 4th Street Playground; a little less cut throat but very competitive.

The playgrounds that were confined to half-court basketball made you feel like something was missing. I spent a lot of time at 11th Avenue Playground playing against Tommy Harris and Michael Fish Richardson. Both guys helped me perfect my ball-handling by tapping the ball from me every time I drove pass them.

But more than where I played or who I played against was my love of competition! I wasn’t one of those people who looked for pushovers to play against. I wanted to play against the best which always brought me back to 4th Street Playground. But everybody who thought they were good at basketball didn’t feel the same way. There were lots of guys who played basketball but didn’t always seek out competition; and that is why a lot of guys stayed away from 4th Street Playground!

You had to man up when you played in 4th Street Playground; nobody protected you from Street Justice! If you got your shot blocked, or pent to the backboard, or you got stripped of the basketball, you dealt with the consequences. You couldn’t yell goaltending or foul like you did at other parks getting a do over in the process. In 4th Street Playground there were lines of guys waiting to get on the court. Those guys would chime in; stop crying and play ball.

Now I must admit 4th Street Playground wasn’t always filled with the best players all the time! Early in the day neighborhood guys would take to the court. And when the neighborhood guys were on the court the best players didn’t always win.

The loudest guys in the neighborhood took control of the early games. Guys like Garfield Williamson, Junebug Scott, and Charlie White; they were by far the loudest guys in 4th Street Playground when I was a kid. Garfield was a tough individual who had an athletic younger brother named Alvin.

Alvin Williamson was a guy who could play any sport; Alvin was also a guy who had muscles on top of muscles. So Garfield, piggybacking on Alvin’s broad shoulders, sounded like a quarterback running plays when he barked out orders.

There was a time when the entire Scott family frightened me! Junebug had a brother with a bone in the middle of his forehead. Junebugs’ brother looked like a villain from a superhero comic book. And his sister Chicky was tough too. The Scotts lived on the first floor of #215 building of the Levistor Towers Projects; I had to pass by their door to get to my grandparents apartment.

Junebug had a voice that went right through me. And even when Junebug said hello it sounded like he was yelling at me. And Junebug looked tough enough to hold his own in a fight; so when Junebug talked most guys listened.

In contrast to Garfield and Junebug was this little guy name Charlie White who lived in building #241 of the Levistor Towers Projects; the second closest building to 4th Street Playground. But don’t let Charlie White’s lack of muscle fool you; even though he was slightly built, Charlie White was the loudest guy of all. Charlie White would bark out orders the entire time he was on the basketball court. And it was funny to see guys running around trying to do his bidding.

When I got older I realized Garfield, Junebug, and Charlie White were not as talented as their peers. And each guy made up for his lack of basketball prowess with leadership skills. As a young guy I took mental notes of what could be accomplished as a leader of men; with the understanding that you can learn something from everyone.

Bobby Atterbury was another smart basketball player! Bobby Atterbury was a smooth operator on the court but he would never be mistaken for a weightlifter. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said Bobby Atterbury didn’t weigh more than 130 pounds at any time I knew him. But even though Atterbury was slightly built most people respected his game.

The pretenders blended into the woodwork when the real basketball players took the court. Back then 4th Street Playground only had four hoops connected to two full courts; not like today with the entire park covered with hoops and full courts.

Back in the day at least half of 4th Street Playground was dedicated to stick ball, softball, and baseball. Neighborhood friends would get together and form teams and compete. And since the teams were from the area; each game got community support. So much so, the basketball players would put down their balls to cheer on their friends.

But make no mistake about it; basketball was KING in 4th Street Playground! Basketball was so dominant in 4th Street Playground that some guys didn’t come to the Mecca until their game had matured. Nothing was given to you in 4th Street Playground; you earned the respect you got as a basketball player.

Ball players were respected through their battles on the court!

Having your basketball taken from you in 4th Street Playground and being forced to watch others play was a rite of passage. And getting bullied by the older guys was part of the process. When I got older I did the same thing to younger guys; understanding what goes around comes around!

And while playing ball in 4th Street Playground I saw basketball players with great potential give in to their vices; be it alcohol, drugs, or other illegal behavior. I believe drugs more than any other vice destroyed many dreams in the Mount Vernon community.

Just think of how many people you know just by being a guy in the community. Now think of how many people would gravitate to you if you were famous; in most cases your friends and acquaintances would quadruple. For some of us fame would be a death sentence. That’s why professional athletes and other famous people have to guard against who they let into their circle!

And that is why you witnessed more often than not individuals moving up and moving out of the community! It was impossible