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FROM THE 70"S TO PRESENT  TIME NEW HAVEN BALL PLAYERS BEEN DOING IT ON THE COURTS HARDBODY FOR YEARS.!! CROSS- HILLHOUSE-LEE-

Scott Ferrari , Special to the Register 03/20/2004 Earning a reputation in the New Haven area for high school basketball prowess is tough going. When it comes to schoolboy hoops, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. So when someone takes the time to hang a moniker like "Super John," "Sly" or "Soup" on you, there’s usually a big-time "game" to match the reputation. Today, the Register looks back on the rich history of New Haven-area basketball and makes an attempt to pick the Super 25, the best 25 players to ever play in the area (see box for eligible towns). We enlisted the valued opinions (and memories) of some of the area’s top coaches and experts. Altogether, the head coaches who attended our informal "jam session" a few weeks back to begin this process accounted for more than 2,000 wins and presided over or saw countless players. As for the criteria, it was a non-scientific combination of reputation, statistics, overall high school prowess and post-high school prowess. Rather than compare the bigger, more athletic modern-day player with those of yesteryear, what we all tried to do was come up with the names of players whose abilities and accomplishments transcended an era. The logic was that if people recognize a name from 50 years ago, that player was or is a legend and deserves to be on the list. The Super 25 are followed by 75 other deserving players, giving us 100 of the best players of all time. No doubt, the names will jog people to remember many more who just as easily could have been chosen. Register’s list of the Top 25 high school basketball players ever in the Greater New Haven area "Super John" Williamson, Wilbur Cross, 1970 Universally accepted as the best player to ever play in New Haven, Super John tops our prestigious list. Averaged almost 40 (38.7) points per game as a senior. Was selected Register All-State in 1969 and 1970 and was a sophomore on the ’68 team that rang up 123 points in the LL title win over Bridgeport Central. ... Later went on to star at New Mexico State, where he was inducted into the Lobos’ Hall of Fame. Also enjoyed a stellar pro career. He averaged 20.1 points in five NBA seasons and 14.1 ppg in three ABA seasons prior to that. Best season may have been 1977-78 when he averaged 23.7 points and 3.0 assists for Indiana. Died in 1996. Dave Hicks, Wilbur Cross, 1961 Two-time Register All-Stater. As a junior, led the Governors to the state Class A and New England championships. Cross repeated as state champ in 1961, when Hicks again was the tourney MVP, but fell in the New England final. The 6-foot-5 Hicks, once called "Wilt Chamberlain with moves," averaged 19.4 points as a senior and had 1,268 points in 74 career games. Eschewed college for a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. Deceased. Sylvester "Sly" Williams, Lee, 1976 A two-time All-State pick, the 6-7 Williams averaged 22 points and 16 rebounds for his career, scoring more than 1,400 points. As a senior, he led Lee to its first state and District League titles, averaging 31 points and 22 rebounds before going on to star at Rhode Island. Williams later had a successful pro career, averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in seven NBA seasons, four with the New York Knicks. In 1981-82, he averaged 13.9 points on 56 percent shooting. Earl Kelley, Wilbur Cross, 1982 Averaged an incredible 39 points per game as a senior, including games of 60 (then a city record), 57 (when he shot 22-for-28 from the floor) and 55 (against Camden. N.J., and All-American Billy Thompson). Scored 1,592 points in his college career at UConn, averaging 16.9 for his career on 46 percent shooting. Also shot 82 percent from the free-throw line for his career. Bruce "Soup" Campbell, Wilbur Cross, 1974 The 6-8 Campbell was the man in the middle for the Governors "national championship" team of 1974 (as proclaimed by the Washington Post). Campbell scored 1,737 career points and grabbed more than 1,300 rebounds, including a game of 43 points and 28 rebounds against Weaver-Hartford in 1973. Averaged 26 points and 18 rebounds. Later starred at Providence College. Campbell still resides in New Haven. Salvatore "Chubby" Malinconico, West Haven, 1939 There may be a dearth of statistical information available from Malinconico’s era, but there’s plenty of legend. Malinconico was one of the first truly great shooters, albeit in the "set-shot" era. Malinconico was also considered a top-notch ball-handler and was a stalwart in the old semipro leagues for the Hull’s Brewer Red Devils. Once scored 31 points against Cohoes, N.Y., in a New York summer league game and was voted outstanding player in the that league. The former Chief of Police in West Haven, "Chubby" is retired and residing in Florida. Scott Burrell, Hamden, 1989 The 6-7 Burrell was a Register All-State pick in 1988 and 1989. As a senior, Burrell averaged 23.7 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.8 blocks. He finished with more than 1,300 points and 1,000 rebounds. Later, he scored 1,562 points in four years at UConn, averaging 13.1 points per game. Burrell also played eight seasons in the NBA, averaging 7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 383 games. His best season was 1994-95 with Charlotte, when he averaged 11.5 points and 6 rebounds in 65 games. Was drafted in the first round (20th overall in 1993). Tharon Mayes, Hillhouse, 1986 Played at Lee until it closed in 1985. Mayes was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 1986 after averaging 24.5 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. He had 36 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a game against Weaver-Hartford and also had a 51-point game against Fitch-Groton. He finished with 1,546 career points. Mayes later played at Florida State, where he had 1,260 points in three seasons, averaging 16 points per game for his career on 49.5 percent shooting. Mayes played 24 NBA games in the 1991-92 season with Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers and also played in the CBA. Now coaches high school basketball in Massachusetts. Billy Evans, Hillhouse, 1965 Guard led the Academics to state title in 1964 as heady playmaker. Averaged 10 points per game as a junior that season. Scored 20 points, including 13 in the second half, in the 1964 win over Hartford Public in the title game. Later went on to star at Boston College, where he started on three consecutive teams that earned postseason bids (two NCAA, 1 NIT). ... Evans played 53 games in the old ABA, averaging 2 points and 2 assists. Now a businessman who splits time between Boston and Florida. Gary Bello, Amity, 1971 One of the best long-range shooters in state history, Bello averaged a state-best 35.2 points in 1971 as a senior for one of the Spartans’ top teams ever. He also averaged 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals that year. He scored 54 points in a game against Seymour and finished his career with 1,206 points, later playing at Providence College, which reached the Final Four in his sophomore season. Alex Scott, Wilbur Cross, 1968 One of the best all-around players in state history, Scott was a two-time Register All-State pick, including ’68 when Cross scored a record 123 points in a Class L title win over Bridgeport Central. As a senior, Scott averaged 25 points and 12.5 assists and had a 43-point game against Hamden. Played at New Mexico State. Works for the State of Connecticut in Children’s Services. Jim "Jiggy" Williamson, Wilbur Cross, 1974 Key figure on the Governors’ 1974 team selected as the nation’s No. 1 team by the Washington Post and later proclaimed the "best high school team in the world" by the New York Post. Williamson averaged 25.6 points per game as a senior and, at the time, was the only Cross player to ever start every game for four years. He scored 1,852 career points and was MVP of the 1973 Class LL tournament. Later played at Rhode Island. Resides in Baltimore. Bob Dulin, Foran, 1976 A two-time Register All-State pick and one of the state’s top scorers as a senior at 29 points per game (and 7 assists). Scored more than 1,600 points, including 49 in a game against St. Joseph-Trumbull. Dulin later went on to play at UConn, where he was captain in 1981. He shot 81.1 percent from the free-throw line in his career, eighth all-time for the Huskies. His 91.5 percent mark in 1981 is the best ever. Now a vice president with Merrill Lynch in New Haven. Doug Wardlaw, Wilbur Cross, 1964 Selected to the Register’s All-State team in 1963 and 1964. Wardlaw, a guard, scored more than 900 points in three seasons, averaging 16.9 ppg as a senior. Earned a scholarship to Loyola of Chicago. Had 24-point efforts against state champ Hillhouse and highly regarded Hartford Public as a senior. Upon his graduation, legendary Cross coach Salvatore "Red" Verderame called Wardlaw the best guard he’d ever coached. Retired from the New Haven Park and Recreation Department. Paul "Topsy" Delgobbo, Wilbur Cross, 1953 One of the great outside shooters of all-time, Delgobbo scored more than 1,500 points at Southern Connecticut and is considered perhaps the best all-around athlete to ever play at Southern, where he also starred in baseball. He eventually played in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system. Played basketball in the famous semipro leagues of the 1950s and fast-pitch softball for the Raybestos Cardinals. Retired from the New Haven school system. Al Carfora, East Haven, 1976 Register All-State pick in 1976, Carfora was also a two-time prep All-America selection. He averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds as a senior and 17 points and 11 rebounds for his career. Had 47 points and 21 rebounds against New Britain in the 1976 state tournament, both school records at the time, and scored more than 1,200 career points. Later went on to star at Quinnipiac. Carfora is a retired firefighter who is now self-employed. Dom Perno, Wilbur Cross, 1959 Two-time Register All-Stater (1958-59). Was part of the infamous 1958 New England championship game (which Cross won) against Somerville, Mass., in which a brawl broke out in the closing seconds. ... Later starred at UConn, making one of the most memorable plays in Huskies history by stealing the ball from Princeton star Bill Bradley in the closing seconds to seal a 52-50 win in the NCAA tournament. Perno later coached the UConn men from 1977 to 1986. He is employed by the Dumont Group of Bristol in insurance sales and marketing. Tony Massari, East Haven, 1954 Earned Register All-State honors in 1953 and 1954, as well as being named to the Coaches’ All-State team three times. As a senior, averaged a then-incredible 22.7 points per game for the Class M state champions and was one of the building blocks for teams that won 77 straight games and 121 of 123. Team earned Class M state and New England titles as a senior. Now retired and residing in Raleigh, N.C. Gene Davins, Hillhouse, 1955 Integral member of the famed Hillhouse "Wonder Five" that went unbeaten through the state regular season and state tournament before bowing to Somerville, Mass., in the New England championship semifinals. Davins was a Register Class A All-State pick. Davins was also a starter and key player at guard on the 1954 team that won the New England title. Ralph Paolillo, East Haven, 1957 Register All-State in 1956 and 1957. Smooth-shooting but tough guard was MVP of the 1957 Class B state tournament, which the Easties won. Averaged 20 ppg as a senior. Scored 6 points in less than 1 minute in his first varsity game. Now director of community development for the city of West Haven. Willie McFarland, Ansonia, 1972 As a senior, led the area in scoring at 31.1 points per game. The 6-4 McFarland ate up Naugatuck Valley League competition, scoring 51 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in a win over Seymour and also having a 36-point, 24-rebound, 7-block effort against Wilby-Waterbury as a senior. Don Perrelli, Hillhouse, 1956 "Wonder Five" member and two-year starter for the Acs, he led the nation’s small colleges in scoring in 1960 while at Southern Connecticut, scoring more than 1,800 points while there. Went on to coach the women’s teams at St. John’s (1979-84), Southern (‘76-79) and Northwestern University (1984-99), winning more than 400 games before his retirement in 1999. Perrelli is retired. Walter Esdaile, Hillhouse, 1965 The 6-8 Esdaile was a Register All-Stater in 1964. He later went on to star for Cornell in the Ivy League, leading the league in rebounding in 1967 and 1968. Elected to the Cornell Hall of Fame. On Dec. 28, 1966, had 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 92-77 win at Kentucky, which was coached by Adolph Rupp and led by Pat Riley and Louie Dampier. Works for the city of New Haven. Larry Kelley, Lee, 1973 Kelley was a two-time captain at Lee and second-team Register All-State pick in 1973 as a senior. He scored more than 1,000 points in his career, including a memorable 16-point effort as a sophomore in a state tourney upset win over powerhouse Bridgeport Central, then coached by Tom Penders. Kelley then lettered three years at Syracuse as a two-year starter and was the NBC "Player of the Week" in a nationally televised win over Tennessee, which featured the "Bernie and Ernie Show" of future NBA stars Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. Now works for the New Haven school system. Jim Davins, Hillhouse, 1952 Brother of Gene Davins. Starred for state Class A and New England championship team of 1952 before playing for Arnold College and later semi-professionally for the Columbus Bears. Davins was even more renowned for his baseball prowess, playing minor league ball at the Double-A level.

The Register rates Greater New Haven's best-ever high school boys basketball players




Scott Ferrari , Special to the Register 03/20/2004 Earning a reputation in the New Haven area for high school basketball prowess is tough going. When it comes to schoolboy hoops, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. So when someone takes the time to hang a moniker like "Super John," "Sly" or "Soup" on you, there’s usually a big-time "game" to match the reputation. Today, the Register looks back on the rich history of New Haven-area basketball and makes an attempt to pick the Super 25, the best 25 players to ever play in the area (see box for eligible towns). We enlisted the valued opinions (and memories) of some of the area’s top coaches and experts. Altogether, the head coaches who attended our informal "jam session" a few weeks back to begin this process accounted for more than 2,000 wins and presided over or saw countless players. As for the criteria, it was a non-scientific combination of reputation, statistics, overall high school prowess and post-high school prowess. Rather than compare the bigger, more athletic modern-day player with those of yesteryear, what we all tried to do was come up with the names of players whose abilities and accomplishments transcended an era. The logic was that if people recognize a name from 50 years ago, that player was or is a legend and deserves to be on the list. The Super 25 are followed by 75 other deserving players, giving us 100 of the best players of all time. No doubt, the names will jog people to remember many more who just as easily could have been chosen. Register’s list of the Top 25 high school basketball players ever in the Greater New Haven area "Super John" Williamson, Wilbur Cross, 1970 Universally accepted as the best player to ever play in New Haven, Super John tops our prestigious list. Averaged almost 40 (38.7) points per game as a senior. Was selected Register All-State in 1969 and 1970 and was a sophomore on the ’68 team that rang up 123 points in the LL title win over Bridgeport Central. ... Later went on to star at New Mexico State, where he was inducted into the Lobos’ Hall of Fame. Also enjoyed a stellar pro career. He averaged 20.1 points in five NBA seasons and 14.1 ppg in three ABA seasons prior to that. Best season may have been 1977-78 when he averaged 23.7 points and 3.0 assists for Indiana. Died in 1996. Dave Hicks, Wilbur Cross, 1961 Two-time Register All-Stater. As a junior, led the Governors to the state Class A and New England championships. Cross repeated as state champ in 1961, when Hicks again was the tourney MVP, but fell in the New England final. The 6-foot-5 Hicks, once called "Wilt Chamberlain with moves," averaged 19.4 points as a senior and had 1,268 points in 74 career games. Eschewed college for a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. Deceased. Sylvester "Sly" Williams, Lee, 1976 A two-time All-State pick, the 6-7 Williams averaged 22 points and 16 rebounds for his career, scoring more than 1,400 points. As a senior, he led Lee to its first state and District League titles, averaging 31 points and 22 rebounds before going on to star at Rhode Island. Williams later had a successful pro career, averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in seven NBA seasons, four with the New York Knicks. In 1981-82, he averaged 13.9 points on 56 percent shooting. Earl Kelley, Wilbur Cross, 1982 Averaged an incredible 39 points per game as a senior, including games of 60 (then a city record), 57 (when he shot 22-for-28 from the floor) and 55 (against Camden. N.J., and All-American Billy Thompson). Scored 1,592 points in his college career at UConn, averaging 16.9 for his career on 46 percent shooting. Also shot 82 percent from the free-throw line for his career. Bruce "Soup" Campbell, Wilbur Cross, 1974 The 6-8 Campbell was the man in the middle for the Governors "national championship" team of 1974 (as proclaimed by the Washington Post). Campbell scored 1,737 career points and grabbed more than 1,300 rebounds, including a game of 43 points and 28 rebounds against Weaver-Hartford in 1973. Averaged 26 points and 18 rebounds. Later starred at Providence College. Campbell still resides in New Haven. Salvatore "Chubby" Malinconico, West Haven, 1939 There may be a dearth of statistical information available from Malinconico’s era, but there’s plenty of legend. Malinconico was one of the first truly great shooters, albeit in the "set-shot" era. Malinconico was also considered a top-notch ball-handler and was a stalwart in the old semipro leagues for the Hull’s Brewer Red Devils. Once scored 31 points against Cohoes, N.Y., in a New York summer league game and was voted outstanding player in the that league. The former Chief of Police in West Haven, "Chubby" is retired and residing in Florida. Scott Burrell, Hamden, 1989 The 6-7 Burrell was a Register All-State pick in 1988 and 1989. As a senior, Burrell averaged 23.7 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.8 blocks. He finished with more than 1,300 points and 1,000 rebounds. Later, he scored 1,562 points in four years at UConn, averaging 13.1 points per game. Burrell also played eight seasons in the NBA, averaging 7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 383 games. His best season was 1994-95 with Charlotte, when he averaged 11.5 points and 6 rebounds in 65 games. Was drafted in the first round (20th overall in 1993). Tharon Mayes, Hillhouse, 1986 Played at Lee until it closed in 1985. Mayes was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 1986 after averaging 24.5 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. He had 36 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a game against Weaver-Hartford and also had a 51-point game against Fitch-Groton. He finished with 1,546 career points. Mayes later played at Florida State, where he had 1,260 points in three seasons, averaging 16 points per game for his career on 49.5 percent shooting. Mayes played 24 NBA games in the 1991-92 season with Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers and also played in the CBA. Now coaches high school basketball in Massachusetts. Billy Evans, Hillhouse, 1965 Guard led the Academics to state title in 1964 as heady playmaker. Averaged 10 points per game as a junior that season. Scored 20 points, including 13 in the second half, in the 1964 win over Hartford Public in the title game. Later went on to star at Boston College, where he started on three consecutive teams that earned postseason bids (two NCAA, 1 NIT). ... Evans played 53 games in the old ABA, averaging 2 points and 2 assists. Now a businessman who splits time between Boston and Florida. Gary Bello, Amity, 1971 One of the best long-range shooters in state history, Bello averaged a state-best 35.2 points in 1971 as a senior for one of the Spartans’ top teams ever. He also averaged 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals that year. He scored 54 points in a game against Seymour and finished his career with 1,206 points, later playing at Providence College, which reached the Final Four in his sophomore season. Alex Scott, Wilbur Cross, 1968 One of the best all-around players in state history, Scott was a two-time Register All-State pick, including ’68 when Cross scored a record 123 points in a Class L title win over Bridgeport Central. As a senior, Scott averaged 25 points and 12.5 assists and had a 43-point game against Hamden. Played at New Mexico State. Works for the State of Connecticut in Children’s Services. Jim "Jiggy" Williamson, Wilbur Cross, 1974 Key figure on the Governors’ 1974 team selected as the nation’s No. 1 team by the Washington Post and later proclaimed the "best high school team in the world" by the New York Post. Williamson averaged 25.6 points per game as a senior and, at the time, was the only Cross player to ever start every game for four years. He scored 1,852 career points and was MVP of the 1973 Class LL tournament. Later played at Rhode Island. Resides in Baltimore. Bob Dulin, Foran, 1976 A two-time Register All-State pick and one of the state’s top scorers as a senior at 29 points per game (and 7 assists). Scored more than 1,600 points, including 49 in a game against St. Joseph-Trumbull. Dulin later went on to play at UConn, where he was captain in 1981. He shot 81.1 percent from the free-throw line in his career, eighth all-time for the Huskies. His 91.5 percent mark in 1981 is the best ever. Now a vice president with Merrill Lynch in New Haven. Doug Wardlaw, Wilbur Cross, 1964 Selected to the Register’s All-State team in 1963 and 1964. Wardlaw, a guard, scored more than 900 points in three seasons, averaging 16.9 ppg as a senior. Earned a scholarship to Loyola of Chicago. Had 24-point efforts against state champ Hillhouse and highly regarded Hartford Public as a senior. Upon his graduation, legendary Cross coach Salvatore "Red" Verderame called Wardlaw the best guard he’d ever coached. Retired from the New Haven Park and Recreation Department. Paul "Topsy" Delgobbo, Wilbur Cross, 1953 One of the great outside shooters of all-time, Delgobbo scored more than 1,500 points at Southern Connecticut and is considered perhaps the best all-around athlete to ever play at Southern, where he also starred in baseball. He eventually played in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system. Played basketball in the famous semipro leagues of the 1950s and fast-pitch softball for the Raybestos Cardinals. Retired from the New Haven school system. Al Carfora, East Haven, 1976 Register All-State pick in 1976, Carfora was also a two-time prep All-America selection. He averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds as a senior and 17 points and 11 rebounds for his career. Had 47 points and 21 rebounds against New Britain in the 1976 state tournament, both school records at the time, and scored more than 1,200 career points. Later went on to star at Quinnipiac. Carfora is a retired firefighter who is now self-employed. Dom Perno, Wilbur Cross, 1959 Two-time Register All-Stater (1958-59). Was part of the infamous 1958 New England championship game (which Cross won) against Somerville, Mass., in which a brawl broke out in the closing seconds. ... Later starred at UConn, making one of the most memorable plays in Huskies history by stealing the ball from Princeton star Bill Bradley in the closing seconds to seal a 52-50 win in the NCAA tournament. Perno later coached the UConn men from 1977 to 1986. He is employed by the Dumont Group of Bristol in insurance sales and marketing. Tony Massari, East Haven, 1954 Earned Register All-State honors in 1953 and 1954, as well as being named to the Coaches’ All-State team three times. As a senior, averaged a then-incredible 22.7 points per game for the Class M state champions and was one of the building blocks for teams that won 77 straight games and 121 of 123. Team earned Class M state and New England titles as a senior. Now retired and residing in Raleigh, N.C. Gene Davins, Hillhouse, 1955 Integral member of the famed Hillhouse "Wonder Five" that went unbeaten through the state regular season and state tournament before bowing to Somerville, Mass., in the New England championship semifinals. Davins was a Register Class A All-State pick. Davins was also a starter and key player at guard on the 1954 team that won the New England title. Ralph Paolillo, East Haven, 1957 Register All-State in 1956 and 1957. Smooth-shooting but tough guard was MVP of the 1957 Class B state tournament, which the Easties won. Averaged 20 ppg as a senior. Scored 6 points in less than 1 minute in his first varsity game. Now director of community development for the city of West Haven. Willie McFarland, Ansonia, 1972 As a senior, led the area in scoring at 31.1 points per game. The 6-4 McFarland ate up Naugatuck Valley League competition, scoring 51 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in a win over Seymour and also having a 36-point, 24-rebound, 7-block effort against Wilby-Waterbury as a senior. Don Perrelli, Hillhouse, 1956 "Wonder Five" member and two-year starter for the Acs, he led the nation’s small colleges in scoring in 1960 while at Southern Connecticut, scoring more than 1,800 points while there. Went on to coach the women’s teams at St. John’s (1979-84), Southern (‘76-79) and Northwestern University (1984-99), winning more than 400 games before his retirement in 1999. Perrelli is retired. Walter Esdaile, Hillhouse, 1965 The 6-8 Esdaile was a Register All-Stater in 1964. He later went on to star for Cornell in the Ivy League, leading the league in rebounding in 1967 and 1968. Elected to the Cornell Hall of Fame. On Dec. 28, 1966, had 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 92-77 win at Kentucky, which was coached by Adolph Rupp and led by Pat Riley and Louie Dampier. Works for the city of New Haven. Larry Kelley, Lee, 1973 Kelley was a two-time captain at Lee and second-team Register All-State pick in 1973 as a senior. He scored more than 1,000 points in his career, including a memorable 16-point effort as a sophomore in a state tourney upset win over powerhouse Bridgeport Central, then coached by Tom Penders. Kelley then lettered three years at Syracuse as a two-year starter and was the NBC "Player of the Week" in a nationally televised win over Tennessee, which featured the "Bernie and Ernie Show" of future NBA stars Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. Now works for the New Haven school system. Jim Davins, Hillhouse, 1952 Brother of Gene Davins. Starred for state Class A and New England championship team of 1952 before playing for Arnold College and later semi-professionally for the Columbus Bears. Davins was even more renowned for his baseball prowess, playing minor league ball at the Double-A level.

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Ticket prices for play- Marriage Material, March 26-27, 2011
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Hope you all like the video.
In respect to Notorious BIG, I put the track down in my Biggie voice.
This is NOT an Obama impression, I just did the video in my Obama character. If you want to see more of my Obama stuff check out my site at: www.presidentialcomedy.com

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
AB, TAKES YOU INSIDE THE NORTHERN LEAGUE EMPIRE

Northern League has quietly built an underground empire. They have outsmarted most artists trying to get on by finding outlets for their music that will pay them without having to sign a major deal. By placing their music in movies, television shows and video games they have been able to create a huge buzz around their name, making marks on the industry just by grinding hard and keeping a clear focus. AB talks to us about how they have been able to grow their business maintain their friendships and cut off the slackers to get to the next level. Building an empire is not easy but AB gives us the blueprint to how to get it started.

________________________________

Street Connfinement: AB, what’s good? Northern League is in the building! Can you start by re-introducing yourself to the readers?
AB: For those who don’t know me, I'm the 5 star general behind the money machine we call Northern League. I've been blessed to play a huge role in the creation and the direction of the group, alongside my partners Keith Lo and FS Beatz. For the past six years we've built the League into an underground media monster, which focuses on TV, movies and video games as well as releasing two highly acclaimed CD’s (Wet Paint, and Hustle Now vol.1), which both won CD of the Year for 2008 and 2009 at HBV awards.

Street Connfinement: You were talking about having to continuously re-build the team, as far as always having a lot of artists around you, and dealing with changes. Tell us a little about that situation.
AB: Well, we went through a period where we wanted to establish a strong movement, we were trying to develop and brand the artists we were working with at the time, unfortunately wasn't working out. There were multiple artists. You have to deal with their egos and different personalities. Sometimes things just don’t work out. So those that were strong, we maintained our relationship with, and those that weren't, parted ways. They just didn’t fit the program, and I wish them the best of luck. The end result is that I'm still working with a few of the best writers around, which are Keith Lo, Skarr Vega, Maine Do, Rapz, Price, Wicked, and Manny James just to name a few. Basically, the “Hustle Now”, CD series that we just released will showcase the talents of our current line-up. The HN vol. 1 CD will take you on a journey through club, hip hop, R&B as well as pop. It's an incredible piece of work, and all the production was done by FS Beatz. The next mix CD, we will be tapping into some new producers for a different feel. Production work by Deanero, Enemy Child, & Yayo so…that’s the team right there. It’s not going to change from there, that‘s what I would call our version of the dream team.

Street Connfinement: You always manage to keep yourselves busy doing projects and shows…Where does that motivation come from?
AB: It’s just the love, man… just the natural passion. If we don’t have music, what do we have? That’s the ultimate outlet, to be able to let go and express ourselves without worrying or thinking about problems with family and stress in life. I mean, if we didn’t have that outlet, I don’t know what we would do. The motivation comes from each other, and trusting and believing in one another allows it to work. I do this because I want to see my team succeed. We've come so far that it’s like. Why stop now? We have to keep striving until we can get to that next level. The feeling that we get when our families hear us on TV or in a video game is great! There is nothing like it, it’s priceless! Now our focus is to bring more heat on the street level, and show a variety of different styles on the next few projects.

Street Connfinement: Does this mean that your music’s going to adapt more to the streets?
AB: Absolutely. We’re going to have some good street stuff, some hood club stuff, but still doing us. It’s going to be our version of the streets…the fast life/ the good life side of the streets. I mean, hip hop is supposed to be whatever you feel, so we are going to have our version of the streets where you can just go out there on the block and hang with your peoples, get money, whatever... Are we the most gangsta? No, we never said that. Are we the baddest? No, we never said that. We are about our business, our money, and our music. That’s it, and the new music will reflect that.

Street Connfinement: Tell us about the “Bomb Shelter” CD you guys are about to put out.
AB: “Bomb Shelter”, is going to be the 1st of many street CD’s we release, 10 tracks will probably be the maximum on it. It's quick and simple, but very impactful. It’s going to be a good CD with a lot of powerful music, catchy tunes, catchy verses, and quality choruses. Some R&B, hip hop, street, and pop sounds. It will be the first CD completely produced by Deanero and we will be introducing Price, Maine Do and T-Quest into the mix as well. You can also expect appearances from Vega, Rapz, and King P from the UK.

Street Connfinement: How did you come up with the name “Bomb Shelter”?
AB: It’s funny because the studio that we use, we've been blessed to have for about 3½ years now. We get people from all over that come through, and we feel more at home here than anywhere else. They may be uncomfortable going to certain places because their music’s not going to come out right, or the sound’s not going to come out right, or the environment is stressful. So I look at it as being a safe haven for everybody to come and express themselves without having anything to worry about. So, “Bomb Shelter”, when the world is in turmoil and everything is going down, and you need a safe haven to go to. We have the bomb shelter. And when you look at the music we're creating, it’s very explosive and impactful, and that’s where the name comes from.

Street Connfinement: Northern League has never pursued the major label distribution.
You decided to take your music and go towards the independent side. Tell us about the grinds that you had to go through, not having that major backing and doing everything on your own, and still being able to arrive at the point that you’re at now.
“By doing everything on our own, we have 100 percent creative control over our work, which a lot of people can’t say that they have”.

AB: By doing everything on our own, we have 100 percent creative control over our work, which a lot of people can’t say that they have. We control our own masters, so we make our money off of those masters. We’ve had some attention from a few major labels, but we’ve stayed away from them because the music industry right now is going through a crazy period. When you have a slew of major acts struggling and trying to get off major labels, signing a deal doesn't look that appealing. For instance, I was just reading an interview with Young Joc who’s upset because he can’t release anything other than a mix tape because he’s trying to get out of his contract situation at Bad Boy. Sounds crazy! To the public, what you see on television and in the videos look so flashy and appealing, but the reality is that the music business is a tough, cut throat world where very few survive. So, when you have a lot of major acts that are getting off major labels...go figure. Finding alternate routes in this business is the key to staying relevant. We are good, for what we’re doing right now. It’s a good situation. We have our label together. We have our outlets via (iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon etc…the benefits are coming in slowly, but surely. What’s helping us out is the more music we put into the pipelines to get into TV shows and movies, the sales are coming from that. The mom-and-pop stores are slowly dying out, and people are going digital and we’re on top of it.

Street Connfinement: You said that you’ve been going digital, how do you feel about the whole game going that way?
AB: I think it’s something that artists are going to have to get used to. If you look at the timeline of music and where music started out, whether you’re talking vinyl, 8-tracks, or tapes, the sales went down with each item. They really never ever come back. When you see cassettes go up to their peak and then drop, people aren’t buying them anymore. It's the same for CD’s. It’s a change of the times. CDs have hit their peak. Nobody’s going 5 times platinum off CD’s anymore. The majors are struggling, and indie artists really need to become aware and adapt to it before they get left behind. The days of running around pushing your mix tapes in people’s faces are just about dead and again, this digital thing is going to peak and then, it’s on to the next thing so you better hope you don’t get left further behind. The digital thing is a blessing and a curse in this day, but you have to know how to adapt and move with the times. The attitude of the world today is... if I can't teach an old dog new tricks, then I’ll just get a new dog.

Street Connfinement: Northern League has done a lot of work in the past as far as TV shows and video games, but let everyone know exactly how extensive your resume is so they know just how serious you guys really are grinding.
AB: Let me see, I got the whole resume down-packed. In addition to what we already mentioned earlier there's also, CSI Miami, CSI New York, Making the Band, Parental Control, Real World, Road Rules, Paris Hilton’s My BFF, VH1s Tool Academy, NCIS, and the game- Need for Speed Carbon. We even did background music for the Playboy Review on the Playboy Playmate show. So, there are always things going on. We’ve done the movies, “Architect” and “Delirious”, “Stomp the Yard”, which we are most noted for. I probably forgot half the stuff we did on MTV. And now, we’re going to VH1 so a good percentage of the music you hear there, we may have some involvement. Here is complete list Northern League's music has been featured in:
Greek (ABC Family), Tool Academy (VH1), Playmate Review 2009 (PLAYBOY), Playmate Review 2008 (PLAYBOY), NCIS (CBS), CSI: New York (CBS), CSI: Miami (CBS/A & E), From G's To Gents (MTV), Nitro Circus (MTV), Paris Hilton's My New BFF (MTV), Making the Band season 4 (MTV), Making Menudo (MTV), Newport Harbor (MTV), Rob and Big (MTV), The X Effect (MTV), Adventures in Hollyhood (MTV), Bam's UnHoly Union (MTV), Parental Control (MTV), The Real World (MTV), Yo Momma! (MTV), Tilt (ESPN), Video Citi TV (The WB/CW Network), Weeds (Showtime), Entourage (HBO), Bob Thomas Ford (WYBC radio), Need for Speed, Carbon Edition (EA Sports), NBA Ballerz, Phenom (Midway Sports), Dance Audition (Online), Delirious , From Director Tom Dicollo, (2007), Stomp the Yard (Sony Picture, 2007), The Architect (Magnolia/HD Films, 2006), Alexa digital radio, Sirius/Xm Radio, and Uglyradio.net

Street Connfinement: Tell us about your performance at Toad's Place for the Slaughter House Tour and the people you had on the stage with you. How did that come about?
AB: Slaughter House came about through K-Dub (HOT 93.7) whom reached out to our operations manager Chris Abel. He let him know he was bringing Slaughter House to Toad’s Place and they were going to need some opening acts. Abel put it together and the result was a great show. We had a good time performing especially when the KishiGirls came on stage to rock with us. Slaughter House is about good hip hop. I think that the music we did complemented their style and we adapted and fit right into what was going on. The funniest thing in the world was when Joe Buddens reached down while he was on stage and picked up one of our $100 bill flyers and looked at it...like oh, alright that’s hot and stuck it in his pocket. We were able to build with some good dudes that night. I talked to Royce Da 5’9, Joel Ortiz, Joe Buddens and Crooked I. It was truly an honor to rock on stage with them.

Street Connfinement: I saw the whole thing. You guys had the place going crazy! I went downstairs later in the locker room and you could feel a good vibe. I mean, fans left happy. That was the key to the whole thing…new numbers, new connections.
AB: That’s what the show was supposed to be about. That was a really good show, everybody had a good time at and walked away happy about what they did that night. They walked away happy about buying that ticket and seeing some good performances all the way through the show. Shouts to Oncue also he did his thing.

Street Connfinement: Any last words for the haters… readers… supporters?
AB: Haters, I have no words for. They are all cute, man. That’s it. Haters are cute. That’s funny to me. They’ll hate when I’m not around, but soon as I come around, it’s all love.
“You gotta watch everyone. Even those close to you. It’s bad to say but it’s real. They know exactly who I’m talkin’ to”.
We have money to make, and no time for fake ones. Man up, do you, handle business and stay out of mine! That's all, no longer will I put my attention into people who don’t deserve it, grow up. Friendship is worth more than money, and jealousy can destroy a kingdom. Just some wise words…

Street Connfinement: What about the readers and supporters?
AB: Supporters and the readers…check out www.hustlenow.com , and listen for us on MTV and on VH1. Be ready for that new CD, because it’s going to be hot! To the other artists, if you don’t try something, somebody else will. I wish we could get together here in Connecticut, and have the support of the people. I wish they would come out more.
There are a lot of showcases going on out here in CT. People like Gee from State of the Art Movement are doing music a great service by providing a platform for groups to perform, and if people would actually come out and support these shows, we would have the same effect as Down South or the West Coast, just something to think about.
Also much respect to Mook N Fair! Congrats guys, I hope they have much success. They are a very talented duo. All of CT should be proud.

For more information and to get in contact with Northern League, please check out the following: www.hustlenow.com and www.myspace.com/northernleague

A.B-Northern League
203.785.1130 studio
Hustle Now Recordings Inc.
817 Chapel ST suite 3D
New Haven, CT 06517
http://www.hustlenow.com/
http://www.myspace.com/northernleague
http://www.yoyoyokids.com/
Hustle Now Studio North
Sargolini Publishing-admin by Kobalt Music Publishing

Chad Dawson
The true definition of a Champion Breed

Interview by: Shireal Renee

When all the odds seemed to be against him, he fought his way out. When people told him he wouldn’t make it he fought his way through. Now the world is screaming his name and he fights even harder because now he can’t lose.

Chad Dawson has overcome all the obstacles that have been placed against him. Growing up in poverty he was able to use the love of his family to keep him from falling victim to the streets. Even now as a champion that same love keeps him focused and unshaken because he knows that those are the people that were in his corner before the lights in the ring shined bright on him. Through struggling with bad choices to making a decision to be a good man for his family Chad found a way to come out on top defining the odds and writing his own story. Now after coming back home and taking the championship once again he has showed all who doubted him, that with hard work, perseverance and dedication anyone can make it. He is the true definition of a Champion Breed.
____________________________________________


How is the family, your wife and kids?
Everything is good, I am out here in Los Vegas right now they are back in Connecticut, actually my wife was out here a couple of weeks ago so I got to spend a little bit of time with her before the big fight.

I know you are still a bit of a newly wed, are you two still in the honeymoon phase?
I mean we are both young so we are having fun, its good to be married. We have three beautiful boys, we are both happy and I couldn’t ask for more than that.

What was life like growing up in New Haven?
Growing up in New Haven it was typical like any other kid. I’m not going to act like it was tougher than it was; I was just like any other kid. I grew up in the Hill and the Ville, me and my family moved around a lot. It was pretty tough for us going from different school to different school. We grew up in poverty, we didn’t have it that great, but we grew up with our mother and father. That was the best part about it because we always had each other; we didn’t have to go to the streets looking for other stuff. We had each other; we had our family, which made everything good.

That is always important to have both of your parents in your life. So, who pushed you to follow your aspirations of becoming a boxer?
I would definitely say my father pushed me to become a boxer, he always tells me I’ve been boxing since I was born. Since I was 2 years old and able to put on a pair of gloves, I had a pair of them on; he definitely instilled boxing in me. Every since I was about 8 he brought me to the boxing gym and started my training from then and every since I have been successful.



What was one of your first fights?
I had my first amateur fight when I was 10 years old. Actually my first amateur fight was at the Sports Haven on Longworth.

Do you remember who you fought?
Oh yea, I fought this kid Brian Mase, I actually ended up fighting him for my first four fights. I won 3 out of 4 of those fights.

So you were a champ from the beginning.
I don’t know about a champ because it took a lot of hard work to get to where I am. As an amateur I ended my career with 86 fights and out of the 86 I had 13 losses. So it was a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication. At the time boxing was everything to me, so I worked hard at it. There were a couple times when I stayed away from it because I had gotten tiered of it. When I was about 15 or 16 I walked away from boxing to try football and basketball, but at the end of the day I always knew boxing was going to be my way out so I ended up back in the gym and from then on I pushed it real hard. Now I am successful, I am a world champion and everything worked out.

How much has your life changed since you became a boxer?
It changed for the better because 2 to 3 years ago I was struggling day to day just like everybody else. Everybody thought because I was on TV and winning fights that I had money, but the money didn’t really start coming until about 2 years ago when I fought my first world title. At 21 years old people thought I had money but I really didn’t. I was still struggling trying to make it as a fighter. Then, Showtime gave me a shot; I was on there a couple of times and that put a little money in my pocket. Now, I am with HBO and everything is gravy. My life has changed for the better. When I met my wife I had nothing, so she took care of me. Now I have the opportunity to take care of her. We have 3 kids together and everything is great.

What lessons on life has the road to the championship taught you?
I’ve learned a lot of lessons. There were a couple of times when I got in trouble for some things that I should not have been doing. Once I failed a drug test – that should never have happened. I was in the streets running around while at the same time I had a professional career to maintain; the two together wasn’t going to work. I can say me failing that drug test opened my eyes. It showed me there are other things more important then just hanging out in the streets and being with friends. I feel like at the end of the day, after boxing, I can do what I want, but right now I have to focus on boxing because that is what got me to where I am right now.

With all the success, what keeps you grounded?
My family and my kids, and just knowing that there are other things out there. I am 27 years old; I’m a two-time world champion already. I have been in the ring with Antonio Tarver, I’ve fought Glen Johnson, and I have another fight with Glen coming up. Just knowing that there are bigger things out there then me being 28 and having a little bit of money keeps me grounded. I just want to continue to get better. I’m not going to just stop at being good. I don’t want to be just known as a good fighter, I want to be known as a great fighter, so that keeps me going.

How have you used your success in boxing to inspire, uplift and help others in your community?
I like talking to younger guys, when I go down to Ring One and I see the younger kids in there they are all like, “wow, that’s Chad Dawson”. I don’t feel like, ‘wow’ cause I came from the same place that they came from, the same way they are in the gym training hard and working to get to where I am; I’ve been there, done that. For me to go back to the gym and talk to them and give them the opportunity to see me as a regular person, that makes me feel good. The fact that they are able to see me and touch me it is amazing, that is enough for me. I always tell them, ‘if you want to be someone and go somewhere then you have to work hard’. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes more than going to the gym once or twice a week. I know because there were times when I did that. I was lucky because I have so much talent that I would still show up to fights and win. But at the end of the day, I would go into a tournament and I would come in second or third place, but if I would have put the effort and time in at the gym, I would have came in first place. Now I can go back and tell them what I have been through and hopefully that inspires them.

You have a record label, “Champion Breed”, how did you decide to align yourself with the music industry?
I have loved music since I was a little kid; it is something that I always wanted to get into. The label is still up-in-coming. It is not really established right now, but as long as I keep bringing money in from boxing then I can put it into the label so the music business can be my fall back.

How do you balance the time between training for your fights and owning a record label?
It is hard but I have people like Pepe and my wife who help me and try to keep me level headed. It is tough though because when I come home I don’t really want to be bothered with a lot of business. I just want to relax, be with my family and have a little fun. But if I want to be a business man I have to get use to stuff like that.

How is Pepe involved in “Champion Breed”? Is he a part of that business?
I’ve known him for a long time but we have just recently started becoming closer. By bringing him in on the label he is helping me out a lot by scouting for talent. He brings talent to me while at the same time he is teaching me the business because I didn’t know really know a lot about it. My whole life all I did was box, I don’t even have a high school diploma so the only thing I know, is boxing. Pepe is showing me the business part of the music industry as far as owning businesses and becoming a business man, he has been helping me with that. That is why we work so well together because he is teaching me something as well as helping me out.

It is always good to have someone like that around you. So, what artist do you have signed to your label right now?
Right now I have this kid, C-Dubb, Charms and Blazze.

Are you looking to sign any other artist?
Yes, I am talking to a lot of people, a lot of guys give me their CD’s and I listen to them. But at the end of the day, I have to handle my business first which is, boxing. If I don’t have boxing and I am not able to make money doing that, there will be no, “Champion Breed”, there will be no record label. Boxing comes first for me, the music thing comes second. When the time comes and I am ready to hang up the boxing gloves then I can go into the music thing full time. Right now boxing is how I feed my family and how I survive so that comes first and the music thing is secondary.

With that said, how does an artist get your attention? What do you have to see in a person for you to invest your time and money into them?
Well, if I see something in them and I feel like they have the talent then I will invest in them. Right now it has nothing to do with me making money; I just like to help people. Like, Blazze, and C-Dubb, I help them out a lot. I send them in the studio and I pay for their studio time. I like to make people happy; I feel if what I do is making them happy with themselves then they can make good music.

How did it feel coming back to Connecticut to fight?
It felt great. I finally got to come back to my home and showcase my talent. A lot of people have been asking me when I am coming back to Connecticut, so they all got what they wanted.

What was your training schedule like?
I was training 6 days a week. I ran 5 miles a day. I trained 3 times a day; I did my gym work, right after that I went to the fitness gym and then did strength and conditioning work. It was tough but like I said before, that is how I make my money and how I feed my family so at the end of the day when I am banged up I know what I am doing it for. I think about my kids and my wife.

So were you are pretty confident going into the Glen Johnson fight.
Yes, I was very confident because I was on my “A” game. I had been in the gym; I’d trained for over 8 weeks so I was not worried about anything. I believe that when I am in great shape and on my “A” game that nobody can touch me.

Do you have any rituals or spiritual tactics that you practice before you go into a fight?
Not really, we always say a prayer before I go into the ring. About 10 minutes before I fight, we all get together; quiet the dressing room down and say a little prayer. Other than that I like to have my kids around. My son is always in the ring with me, just to have my wife and kids there believing in me, is good. Plus my father is in my corner, my mother is there; and since this fight is in Connecticut my whole family is going to be there, so I have a lot of love and support that makes me feel like nothing can go wrong.

As a woman, I know I would be terrified every time my man went into the ring, how does your wife feel about you fighting?
My wife is very supportive; she always tells me that she prays before I go into a fight. I know it can be tough because I have 3 other brothers that use to box, and I know how it was for me to watch them fight, so I can imagine how it must feel for my wife to sit there while her husband gets hit so for that I commend her. If you watch her on TV, she is calm. I always ask her, ‘why are you so calm’. She says, “Because she has faith in me”.

What words do you have to give to inspire other people trying to come up and accomplish what you’ve accomplished?
I would tell them don’t give up on your dreams. A lot of people told me that I would never make it. I remember being in high school and teachers and principles telling me that I wasn’t going to amount to nothing because I was hard headed. They said, “I wasn’t going to make it”. Believe it or not, I’ve had teachers call me a “dumb jock”. So for me to be where It am right now, even though I don’t have a high school diploma, I feel like I’ve made it, I’ve fulfilled my dreams. I always told people I was going to be a world champion and now I am. I do hope to one day go back to school and get that diploma but at the end of the day I’ve made it to where I wanted to be at, with or without it.

The video is the first ever shot on the historic USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and was approved by the Admiral Moynihan of the Navy (the chief of publicity for the Navy at the Pentagon). The video features appearances from Claudette Robinson ("The First Lady of Motown" of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles), who plays B. Taylor's grandmother in the video, and Beverly Broadus-Green (Author and Snoop Dogg's mother) who plays B. Taylor's mother in the video.

A coming of the age of maturation music video about real life and real life consequences as a young man comes to terms, reassures the women in his life before transitioning to young soldier.

Download this Song at iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-life-to-live-single/id417968006

A former Navy sailor, Taylor was approved to shoot the video by Admiral Moynihan, the Navy's Chief of Information and principal spokesperson in Washington D.C. with the help of Commander Robert Anderson, Dir of Navy Entertainment West and Scott McGaugh, Marketing Dir for the USS Midway Museum. "We are glad to have B. Taylor back for this video and are excited to be working with him," said Commander Anderson

For more info on B. Taylor
visit www.btaylor.com
www.facebook.com/thesteviewonderofhiphop
www.myspace.com/thesteviewonderofhiphop

Double Dutch League hits New Haven: wtnh.com

Afternoon shooting in New Haven: wtnh.com

TMC --TASHA MONIQUE CARTER


Tasha Monique Carter has swept the nation with her flare for fashion and her signature line of clothing. TMC Fashions was
established in the early 90’s when Tasha discovered her natural talent for sewing. While many of us where in the malls trying to
keep up with the latest trends, Tasha Monique Carterwas setting trends!

Once Tasha realized her ability to create she began to incorporate her own unique twist. Her signature style being; garments which are long & flowing in the front and short & eye catching in the back.

With the support of family & friends in her hometown New Haven, CT, Tasha began to invest in her craft. She hosted small fashion shows in which she would showcase her clothing line. Although the shows were a success…TMC Fashions were ready to hit a
bigger market. With this in mind, the gutsy designer packed her things and moved to Atlanta, GA.

Between designing, sewing & operating a business Ms. Carter also found time to work on several film/television productions. “I was working as a wardrobe assistant on the film Remember the Titans (starring Denzel Washington), the work was tedious and the
schedule was grueling…But I loved it!” The film bug had bitten her…she has since then worked in all positions dealing with wardrobe on numerous productions. “It takes more than an eye for fashion to work in film/television. You have to be aware of continuity and
stay within the budget…no one really cares what the hottest color is this season.”

After living in Atlanta, GA for several years Tasha Carter once again felt like it was time to broaden her horizons. Los Angeles, CA offered just the forum she needed to kick her career into high gear. TMC Fashions can now be seen in films, magazines & on the red
carpet at Hollywood parties and premiers. Although Tasha Monique Carter has been successful in her field, she is humble and maintains a positive professional attitude.

“I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given because I know how difficult it is to get into this business. That’s why I always do the best I can, no matter how big or small the assignment is, I give it my all!”

Tasha Monique Carter now resides in Los Angeles, CA. She is seeking new and challenging opportunities in the fashion industry.

check out more of tmc on her  facebook pg at
www.facebook.com/TashaMoniqueCarter

The New York Knicks have acquired Carmelo Anthony, league sources told ESPN The Magazine senior writer Chris Broussard on Monday night.


The swap is a three-way deal including Minnesota, a league source told Broussard.


More From ESPN.com
The Knicks will be better in a year or two but have the pieces to be credible by April, ESPN.com's Michael Wilbon writes. Story


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In getting Melo, the Knicks made themselves better in the short and long run, ESPNNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor writes. Story


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Carmelo Anthony has the Knicks back on the hoops map, ESPNNewYork.com's Stephen A. Smith writes. Story


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The Knicks aren't a title contender yet, but still figure to be a tough out, ESPNNewYork.com's Chris Sheridan writes. Story


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The Nuggets may have lost Carmelo Anthony but did do well for themselves in the end, ESPN.com's J.A. Adande writes. Story

• Hollinger: Grades
• Ford: A power trio in 2012?


The deal would end the season-long trade saga involving Denver's All-Star forward and send him to his desired destination. If it goes through, it puts Anthony alongside Amare Stoudemire in a potentially explosive frontcourt -- at a heavy cost to the Knicks.


As a part of the deal, the Knicks will send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets, who would get additional picks and cash, the sources said. Along with Anthony, New York would acquire Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.


New York will send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota as part of the deal in exchange for Corey Brewer.


The Denver Post first reported the trade.


"I'm glad it's over," Nuggets coach George Karl said, according to the newspaper. "I'm glad it's an opportunity to reinvent. I think everybody handled it as classy as you could handle it. There's some sadness to it, there always will be."


Denver might not be Gallinari's final destination. League sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher the Nuggets are not expected to keep Gallinari once their acquisition of him is completed.


While Broussard reported that the Nets might try to acquire Gallinari after striking out on Anthony, there are several other interested teams with first-round draft picks to offer in exchange for the perimeter-shooting forward. Other potential suitors include the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.


The need for time to move Gallinari is why Denver pulled the trigger on the Anthony deal Monday night, rather than get closer to Thursday's trade deadline to see what else develops, sources said. The Nuggets are not looking to deal Felton or Chandler, a league source said.


The Nuggets have explored an Anthony trade since he refused to sign the three-year contract extension worth nearly $65 million they offered him last summer. They appeared on the verge of sending him to the New Jersey Nets on multiple occasions, but the Knicks increased their offer enough to land Anthony, who was believed to prefer New York all along.


The Knicks would hope he could be in uniform Wednesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks. If he is, he'll probably be wearing a different number.


Anthony wore No. 15 for his seven-year tenure with the Nuggets. He also wore No. 15 during his one season at Syracuse. But that digit will be off limits for Anthony in New York because the organization retired No. 15 twice -- once for Earl Monroe and once for Dick McGuire. A team official was unsure of which number Anthony would wear with the Knicks when contacted by ESPNNewYork.com late Monday night.


Anthony led the Nuggets to the playoffs in each of his first seven seasons in Denver after winning a national title at Syracuse as a freshman and had them positioned for another playoff run this year. But Denver advanced out of the first round just once in that time.


He stood to become the headliner of the 2011 free-agent class, but didn't want to risk free agency knowing a new collective bargaining agreement could cost him millions. But once he refused the extension with the Nuggets -- plus put his Denver mansion on the market last year -- the Nuggets' new front-office team of general manager Masai Ujiri and team president Josh Kroenke had to begin trade talks so they wouldn't risk losing him and getting nothing in return as the Cavaliers did with LeBron James and the Toronto Raptors did with Chris Bosh last year.


Knicks Blog
Looking for more information on your Knicks? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog


There were persistent rumors Anthony wouldn't take the extension if traded to the Nets, which was a prerequisite for them agreeing to a trade. He instead gets his apparent wish to join a Knicks team that is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and in position for its first playoff berth since 2004.


But the Knicks will make their postseason run without the core of the team. Felton, Gallinari, Mozgov and Chandler were four of New York's top six players, and there is some thought the Knicks gave up too much to get Anthony, a sensational scorer headed to a team that doesn't necessarily need more scoring.


However, the Knicks felt they couldn't pass on the opportunity to land a 26-year-old superstar once he became available. Assuming he extends with the Knicks, Anthony and Stoudemire would be under contract for four more seasons, though the uncertain salary-cap situation could wreck New York's plans to be spenders over the next two summers.


The Nets wanted Anthony, hoping the Brooklyn native would be the face of their franchise when they open their new Barclays Center in 2012. But though he never publicly confirmed the speculation that he wouldn't have extended with the Nets, he did note Friday during the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles that the Knicks were further along after acquiring Stoudemire -- his good friend -- last summer.


Anthony met with both Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan over the weekend and hoped there would be a resolution before he returned to the Nuggets. That indeed happened -- he was excused from practice Monday so he could remain in California to appear on Conan O'Brien's show.


Photos: Carmelo Anthony's career



MeloDrama is over: Anthony is going to be a Knick. Enjoy photos of an All-Star's career: Carmelo Anthony


The Nuggets made out well, considering they could have lost Anthony for nothing in the summer. The Nets' offer, centered around rookie Derrick Favors and draft picks, would have meant a rebuilding situation, while the players they acquire from New York could keep them in postseason contention in the Western Conference. The Nuggets host Memphis on Tuesday night.


Karl said he'll miss Billups, a hometown favorite and consummate professional who helped Denver reach the Western Conference finals in 2009, when the Nuggets nearly eliminated the eventual champion Lakers.


"I think Chauncey will go down as one of the greatest winners," Karl said. "His record of seven or eight conference finals is, I mean, that's incredible. I think that's who he is, that's what he stands for. He brought one of them to us. Last year we had a miserable ending. I think there's many people, including myself, that will be sad for Chauncey. I know he loves Denver and we love him, but things happen. There's decisions that have to be made.


"I'm 100 percent behind the decision we made, even though it will be dangerous and there won't be the veteran point guard back there," Karl added. "Felton, I thought was having a great season this year. But I think Ty [Lawson] and Felton are going to have a great challenge to live up to what Chauncey has given us in past years."


Asked who his starting point guard would be, Karl said, "Probably Ty," then got into his maroon SUV and drove away.

Investigation in NHPD protest: wtnh.com

Guardian Angels on patrol in New Haven: wtnh.com

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - In response to New Haven's police layoffs, the Guardian Angels are hitting the streets and say they'll be stepping up patrols for the next three months.

A sign hangs on a telephone poll along Whalley Avenue -- anyone interested in joining the ranks of the Guardian Angels is welcome.

News 8 was with Angels as they hit the streets last night, bringing in reinforcements from Hartford, Norwalk, Boston and New York. The founder, Curtis Sliwa, spoke to our Bob Wilson.

"How are you greeted by the people here?"
"Oh, for the most part, people are high-fiving us, they appreciate the fact that we're making the effort here to make them feel safer, even with less police, but then you'll get the homeboys on the corner flipping us the bird which makes me feel welcome because then I know we're having an impact," Sliwa said.

The Guardian Angels have had a chapter in New Haven since 2007, but decided to beef up their patrols after the city decided to lay off 16 police officers last week. The night the layoffs were announced, there was a double shooting at a Dunkin' Donuts on Derby Avenue. Click here to read more about the police layoffs.

News 8 got reaction from residents in the area, a hot spot for months. Most said they appreciate any and all help here, but it's a Band-Aid, at best.

"I mean, from a standpoint from, more people on the streets that helps the city that would be nice, there's a lot of things that go on around here that shouldn't be," said Michael Addison of New Haven.

"I just seen 'em yesterday but you won't need the Guardian Angels or the police if you put the discipline back in the house," said Wally Shabazz of New Haven.

And because the Guardian Angels do not carry weapons, many say they are simply not an adequate replacement for police officers.

"They not bulletproof, that's what it is, shooting. They gonna wear bullet-proof jackets and helmets it may work," said Shabazz.

I'm actually surprised we don't see this happen more often.

A news crew from Sacramento tv station Fox40 was attacked by angry family members of a shooting victim.

27-year-old Chester Jackson was shot and killed in a parking lot outside an IHOP early morning Sunday (February 20). His family gathered in the parking lot and set up a makeshift memorial. When reporter John Lobertini and photojournalist Rebecca Little approached to see if anyone wanted to talked, things got ugly.

"This is one of the hazards of the business but we didn't expect what we encountered here today," said Lobertini.

Before things escalated into violence, one woman is seen yelling at the news crew, who didn't back down. Then someone is seen pulling Little to the ground by her hair as they attempted to stop her from filming.

"When I fell on the ground I was protecting myself, and then she kicked me and I was still kinda paralyzed, and I hear my reporter John say, 'get up, get up,'" Little told Fox40

It was just an unfortunate situation for everyone. I know I wouldn't want some guy sticking a mic in my face right after a relative was killed. Hopefully the news crew won't try to press any charges.

At one point you can hear family members respond to Little saying she was kicked by replying "nobody hit you b****."



"I know people are going through rough times but that's still my job. I wasn't trying to get in their face and be disrespectful," Little said.

To say Connecticut stood up to represent is an understatement. Truth be told '' we love Hip Hop!!! '' Once again the legendary Toads Place showed hospitality and mad love for us, as we united together as one dispite cultral difference. Dip Set ignited the stage and gave one hell of a performance.

Before the show  DJ Big Man from Hot 93.7 tore up the scene as he spun the ones and twos while  The host MC Big E hyped the crowd. The energy that pulsated from the vast sea of people captivated my soul beyond the expression of words.

Dip Set brought the house down with hit after hit and there were no complaints from the fans as their money was well spent. The love that flowed throughout the establishment was beyond measure and the mutual feeling from Dip Set was evident as they allowed fans to rock the nite away on the very same stage while they performed.

My respect level kicked up a notch. Hats off to New Era management Big Joe and British.

Even tho I didnt get a full fledge interview with the artist at this time, They offered me some  excellent  advice that will stay with me for eternity and I appreciate that they took time out of their hectic schedule to chat with me and allowed me to get a flick in with Killa Cam. (even tho I wasnt smiling but thats a different story.) Bottom line I have to respect the fact that as a writer no matter who you are, you have to go through the proper channels to secure the interview. I am still a work in progress and sometimes I may take my passion too serious but in this business complacency gets you nowhere and sometimes the rules have to be broken and its a risk that I am willing to take. 

By T'Lara Aka Supreme Essence

contact me at www.naturalbornhusla@yahoo.com

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