There Was No Stopping HP3

MORRISTOWN, JUNE 2001 - The 2001 version of Heaven's Playground saw perhaps the most exciting, competitive basketball in HP history, as well as record-breaking attendance and a new high in fundraising for the Tomorrow Children's Fund. Although HP3 was originally scheduled as an outdoor event at Lidgerwood Field, the rainy forecast did not damper the mood of HP3 which relocated to Assumption School in Morristown.

HP3 had a slightly new flavor to the tournament. For the first time, teams were allowed to be picked on their own. 63 men and women, with their fiery hearts set on vicotry, dreamed of holding the highly coveted Heaven's Playground championship trophy. Only one team would fulfill its this dream. Because of the odd number of teams, several "play-in" games were used to cut down to 16 teams. The last five teams to sign-up for the tournament were automatically chosen to participate in the "play-in" games.

The talent of the tournament continued to grow with many former high school varsity players including former players from perennial powers Seton Hall Prep and St. Anthony's. Dennis Quinn, the former Seton Hall Prep point guard, and currently a basketball coach at St. Anthony under Bobby Hurley, brought in a couple of his friends to make up a squad called "Old Men". They may be old in age but they played with blistering gusto, dropping jaws and hopes of their disappointed opponents. Quinn brought along fellow St. Anthony coach and alum Anthony DiGiovanni and 6'7'' 250lb Ross Gay (who some believe is really Rick Fox). Mike Walsh also played with Dennis on SHP team that won the state title led by Brevin Knight, now the point guard of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kevin Shannon, a former SHP guard from the incredible 30-1 1999 Tournament of Champions champion team also played. Also, from out of state was Christopher Knoerlein, standing at an impressive 6'10''. It is a little known fact that Knoerlein played high school basketball with pre-season 1st team all-American Juan Dixon of Maryland. Clearly, the competition was intense, but no team was willing to concede with such high stakes at play.

High school stars were led by Alex Buzbee, who is a junior starting center at Seton Hall Prep and Greg Altieri, otherwise known as 'Smooth'. Robby and Ryan Pellegrino, who had to carry the load for their elder brother R.J., are the backcourt tandem for the Delbarton Green Wave. The surprise team of the tournament was "Team Bosephus." Brian Ostick, Jake Ferry, and Mark Tarzwell played extremely well and really left their mark on the tournament before a heart-breaking loss to the Old Men by a point in the semi-final.

We also had our traditional teams whose players have been there from day one and make up the essence of this tournament. These teams include the infamous "Team Delbarton," made up of John "Air" Iaciofano, Doug Skinner, and Matt Achilarre. "Team Morristown" returned with Planet Gym extraordinaire Matt Delgiudice, Dave Molinaro, and Tom Olivo. The Birdmen led by Arnold, oh wait, I mean Brian "Steakhead Bullneck" Skurka, Mark "Bassethound" Koehnlein, and rookie Jake Cahill .

Kevin Cordovano, Keith Reynolds, and Brandon Doria made up the best hockey players on a basketball court Heaven's Playground has ever seen. The gregarious Dave Murphy "Space Cadet" brought along fellow Crusader Brad "Transfer" Wagner and Chris Nowlin to the HP3 mix. Anthony Forlino of Seton Hall University brought a supposed "dream team" that failed to score one point. His dream turned into a nightmare. The tournament's best pick setter, Meatie, brought back the tournament's best shooter in Mikey Paris and injured cousin Marty Murren. Jake Waite, the 2000 MVP was back, playing with fellow Gamecock Mike Cherello and Kevin Shannon .

Katie Johnson, who legend has it lost a one-on-one game 58-1, tried to bring talent in to support her with Oak Knoll superstar Katie Cummings and Kareem Holmes. Unfortunately, an injury set Katie back and prevented her chances of entering the winners' circle once again. Tim Gardner, who already owns one HP championship ring, was paired with the now fleet-footed Ben Scheick and Ben's roommate from Villanova, Knoerlein. In the absence of a tall, loud afro-redhead known as the Rock, Pat McArdle and Brian McArdle added Charlie Messano to their team.

The team that struck fear in the hearts of men, the team that left players shaking in the "Air Iversons", was made up of the sharpshooting of Justin Kiczek and rebounding of Doug Mortenson. Kiczek's defense is known in circles far and wide as being an impenetrable wall. Never has the sport of basketball seen such aggression. In a huge upset, they lost in the first round (for Kiczek's third year in a row). And finally, John Alexander was brave enough to attempt to play with the highly competitive Walsh brothers, Greg and Mike.

The Final Four consisted of the Charm City All-Stars (Ben Scheick, Tim Gardner, and Christoper Knoerlein), Heaven's All-Stars (Greg Walsh, Mike Walsh, and John Alexander), The Old Men (Anthony Digiovanni, Dennis Quinn, and Ross Gay), and Bosephus (Brian Ostick, Jake Ferry, and Mark Tarzwell). The Old Men squeaked by team Bosephus to reach the final and played Heaven's All-Stars who knocked off Charm City. The shooting touch of MVP Anthony Digiovanni proved to be too much for Heaven's All-Stars to handle. The Old Men went on to win the title and immortality by becoming the HP3 champions.

Many stories came out of HP3. The Birdmen, who were in a tight game with Bosephus before a mysterious injury to Brian Skurka, eventually lost. Rumors Circulated that he was in dire need of a protein bar, but there was no confirmation to this day. Mark Koehnlein, who was responsible for picking up the slack when Skurka went down, had this to say after the game, "Guys, what's going on tonight?" The enigma known as Mike Cherello, was surprisingly heard complaining after a loss! Something about the tournament brackets was giving Cherello fits. KJ, who makes Muhammed Ali out to be humble, lost in the first round after guaranteeing victory. Supposedly, Alex Buzbee needed back surgery after carrying the heavy load for Dukes Wooters and Greg Altieri. Sources say he will be ready to go for Coach Bob Farrell this season. Mr. Air himself, John Iaciofano, continued his dominace in the "looking good" category. John is considering modeling for Nike.

The most competitive game of the tournament was a game that featured 5 brothers on the court. Three of them Pellegrino's and two Walshes. John Alexander and (Mr.) Jack Skurka were there to baby-sit the event. The basketball wasn't the only excitement generated at the event. Heaven's Playground proved to be another wonderful opportunity for old friends to meet up after a year of college. The tournament proved to be a testament to the strength and will of the Heaven's Playground community. Coming together for the third year in a row, the HP community raised a staggering $2,000.00 for the Tomorrow Children's Fund. For 2001, the third year in a row, Heaven's Playground proved that with some competitive hoops, a wonderful crowd, community, and caring, we can pull off feats of "heavenly" proportions.