Nothing is more memorable than the sounds of the Allied Gardens basketball courts.

The
sounds of the chain-linked fence being pushed, the rims reverberating, screens being called out,
and the screeching of Nikes on scorching pavement. These noises, set to the nostalgic
backdrop of my childhood park, hundreds of hours spent at and around the courts. Practices,
pickup games, one on ones, trash talking, fighting, booming music, giants; it was always a mix
of dread, memories, and the exhilarating fun of laying it all out amongst this. The same hoops
are always waiting; memories and emotions all leap up when I step on the court.

Nothing is more memorable than the sounds of the Allied Gardens basketball courts. As you
approach the courts, you are greeted with a roar. The sounds of the chain-linked fence being
pushed, the rims reverberating, screens being called out, and the screeching of Nikes on
scorching pavement. These noises, set to the nostalgic backdrop of my childhood park, where
hundreds of summer hours were spent. Practices, pickup games, one on ones, trash talking,
fighting, booming music, giants; there was always a mix of dread, memories, and the
exhilarating fun of laying it all out amongst this. The same hoops are always waiting; memories
and emotions all leap up when I step on the court.