Palo Alto Park: Plenty of Room to Run

Everybody got to hoop. That was what stood out most about our Palo Alto Park run. With a smaller turnout, there was less confusion and more opportunity to get back on the court. A loss did not mean spending the rest of the afternoon waiting for another game.

The court was ready before I arrived

Before I left, a few messages came in about rain. I checked the forecast, and rain was a real possibility. Then other messages started coming through from the park: the court was dry, the weather was good, and the guys did not want me to cancel.

I sent out the members’ invite and arrived at 3:45 p.m. We had 10 hoopers ready right out of the gate. Some told me they had already been there for an hour warming up. They were in a full sweat, waiting for me to pull up.

When I walked up, the court stopped playing. It was clear they were there for the event. I took my time setting up the table, clock, radio, and sign-up board. Our first game started at 4:10.

Familiar faces, new matchups

By the end of the second game, more community vets were pulling up. Around game three, the competition started picking up. The music was going, the games were moving, and I was on the court behind the camera doing my thing.

There was a mix of skill levels. Some games had more action than others, and different hoopers had their moments. These runs give players a chance to compete together and find their place in the game.

A few guys were familiar faces from gyms around the city, but this was their first time at one of my runs. Bringing PJJ to this side of town gave different hoopers a chance to meet and share the court.

“The city is watching”

During breaks, I like to get on the court and encourage hoopers to give the camera some personality. “The city is watching.” “Do not be camera shy.” “We like celebrations.” The plays matter, but so do the reactions and the people making them.

One returning player stood out for both. His chatter and celebrations were funny, and he backed them up with some really good plays. He has been to a couple of our runs now. I missed the chance to interview him this time, but he gave the camera plenty to work with.

A brief change in the weather

The park had a skate park right beside the basketball court. I initially thought there would be no cover, so finding the blue canopy when I arrived was a welcome surprise.

At one point, the clouds got dark, the wind picked up, and a little rain came through. That stretch lasted about 10 minutes. Then it calmed down, and we were right back to good weather. The sun and clouds made a nice backdrop for the footage and pictures.

The people around the games

Overall, the hoopers were friendly and willing to be part of what I was documenting. I collected several Instagram tags, took pictures with a few players, and caught up with a hooper for an interview.

Courtside with Miguel

Watch Miguel’s interview from the run below.

Watch Miguel’s interview on YouTube

More chances to play

I stayed behind the camera for the entire event. I enjoy playing, but documenting the community and keeping the run moving takes my focus. That is the part I chose to give this afternoon.

We wrapped up at 6:50 p.m. By then, everyone had gotten in several games and had the chance to play as much as they wanted. That made this run feel good: familiar faces came back, new people joined in, and there was room to keep playing.

Thank you to everyone who pulled up and to the guys who messaged from the court before the event to let me know we could still make it happen.

Pro Jump Jones · Documenting San Antonio basketball.