Twentieth edition of Hoganz Hoop Classic is a perfect 10

LYNN – Twenty years ago, Fred Hogan founded an “underground” streetball tournament that was played on the Marian Gardens basketball court. Sunday marked the ending of the league’s twentieth showcase and in his last season as director, both Hogan and the talent on the court made sure things ended with a bang.Click here for a photo gallery.In its inception year, the Hoganz Classic was comprised of four teams, those being Williams Ave, The LGT Crew, Warren St. and the 8-Ball Posse. In the following years it would swell to eight teams before peaking at an impressive 40-team tournament. This year’s edition featured 18 squads.In what Hogan believes to be “the high point of these kids’ summers,” the Classic wrapped things up on Sunday evening with Just for Fun defeating Brockton for the championship. Just for Fun’s Denzel Brito, a Lawrence Academy graduate, led the way with 26 points while earning the 20th Annual MVP award.One of the more interesting game storylines revolved around Just for Fun’s Dwight Brewington, who needed a victory to secure the final spot in the Hoganz Classic storied Hall of Fame, which he ultimately would reach. For highlights of the tournament, search “2012 Hoganz Classic” on YouTube.Brito and Brewington were just two competitors in a deep pool of talent, which Hogan couldn’t help but gush over.”The talent level on that court all tournament long was unbelievable,” Hogan explained. “Most of these kids are college-level talents and they showed it throughout the tournament.”One prominent change in the tournament was the newly refurbished court the players were running on. The Marian Gardens management team, along with the City of Lynn, partnered up to improve the court’s conditions. Glass backboards and red, white and blue hoop netting are among the new features.Speaking of the new court, a dedication ceremony was held prior to the title game for Ernie Pleasant, whom the court is now named after. Pleasant has been the superintendent of Marian Gardens for the past 34 years.Among those in attendance throughout the tournament were Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, and two company executives Hogan credits with being part of the tournament’s backbone for a long time.”Rob Merryman, the owner of Ram Electric, and Ward 6 City Councilor Peter Capano have both been so instrumental to this tournament’s success. I can’t thank them enough,” Hogan said.Hogan referred to this year’s tournament as an “emotional” one for him personally as it will be his last in charge.”I love the city of Lynn and am going to miss being around all the people I have come into contact with all these years,” explained Hogan. “By stepping away, I will get to spend more time with my family in the summer.”The show will go on even without Hogan at the helm, with Simmie Anderson taking over the reins. The tournament will be renamed as the Shoe City Classic for its 21st season.