New courts up O-High’s game

Students play basketball after school in September 2011. Image Credit: Adonte Matthews

Adonte Matthews & DaeSean McNeal

At the beginning of this new school year Oakland High students walked in excitement onto the newly refurbished basketball courts. Most teens were astounded by it and couldn’t wait to start playing.
“The basketball courts mainly involve people that enjoyed and liked playing basketball. Coming with the new courts comes with more responsibility.This means we have to take better care of the courts without graffiti or anything that has to do with vandalism.” said Junior Devonte Jones.We have to respect the courts, when security or anyone in higher power tells us, its time to go. We have to respect that and just go and wait for tomorrow and play some more.
Students said that the basketball courts give teens something productive to do other than being on the streets, and while working out anger.

“I love these courts,” said junior Lemont Norman. “They give me something else to do rather than just walking around the school doing nothing. I really like them.”

Considering that Oakland High School has new basketball courts, it keeps some of the teens of Oakland High occupied. It also stops some of the teens from roaming the halls, campus and gives them a chance to stop roaming the streets after school.

“I think that it keeps the kids staying in school, and gives them something new to try, possibly a new sport for them,” said Raksmey Mao, also a junior.

The basketball courts are built into the black shiny pavement and outlined with white glossy lines. At lunch, the area is full of the sounds of teens all yelling joyfully, calling for the ball so that they can get their “lunchtime highlights.”

In the past the courts at Oakland High kept most of the teens out of trouble. “They were removed for construction & temporary portables,” stated by Vice Principal Anisa Rasheed. In which they increased tardies without the courts because teens didn’t have anything to do on campus.

“As we look forward, the future eight courts should be built and installed. The two courts for now are temporary,” said Rasheed.

Students seem joyous, pleased, and gratified for the courts.

“I freakin’ love these courts,” exclaimed junior Kevin Mai. “[They’re] the second best thing on campus, besides the girls!”