Pick-up basketball games for all skill levels spring up

Richard Brian

Kalvin Villanueva attempts a layup during a pick-up game at the Sunset Park playgrounds.

By Jared Harmon (contact)

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 | 5:05 p.m.

Guide to pick-up basketball

• Find a map and detailed listings of basketball games in the Henderson area.

Richard Brian

Players battle for a rebound during a pick-up game at the Sunset Park playgrounds.

Richard Brian

From left, Alan Izawa, Jayson Pascual, Ken Estepa, Justin Delarama and Kalvin Villanueva wait their turn for a court while playing pick-up basketball at the Sunset Park playgrounds.

This is De-Von Lowden's favorite time of year.

As often as possible, the 32-year-old Henderson resident laces up his sneakers and heads to Pecos Legacy Park to play pick-up basketball. The outdoor facility, located on Pecos Road and Wigwam Parkway, sees a boost in activity at the start of high school, college and NBA seasons.

Growing up around the ultra-competitive public courts of Los Angeles, Lowden was surprised to find a handful of Henderson and Clark County parks attract what he called a "respectable skill level."

"You can't just go to any park any time of day and find a good game. But (Pecos Legacy) and Sunset Park can get a good crowd at night," Lowden said. "It can really pop-off sometimes with five-on-five games with subs and everything."

With 31 parks and recreation centers in the Henderson area with at least one full-size court, Lowden and others have plenty of options.

The availability of courts has led to an easy-going attitude from players that he was unaccustomed to before moving to Nevada.

"In Los Angeles, you get guys who take over a court," he said. "Out here it's a lot more laid back. If a game is already going you can ask to sub-in or if you can jump in for the next game. Plus, you get all kinds of skill levels out here so you don't have to worry about not being able to keep up."

With eight courts, Clark County's Sunset Park has become a popular spot and is always know as a place to find the most competitive games in Southern Nevada.

County parks are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. while Henderson parks are open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Indoor recreation centers in Henderson operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The city charges $2 annually for a gym pass, which allows participants access to courts only. There's another fee to use other amenities, like the swimming pool.

Damon Hunter, a former Basic basketball standout and professional player in Europe, has been around the recreational basketball scene in Henderson for years and said the diverse park offerings keep the players fairly spread out.

"There's no one place and there's no one time to find a good game," Hunter said. "Pick-up basketball is always in demand because of the weather and great facilities. There's always someone around."

Henderson Recreation Program Coordinator John Eathorne said all those factors have made pick-up basketball far more popular than expected. He estimates about 200 people per week use the courts.

Aaron Sellers, 19, is always one of those ballplayers.

"When the college season gets going, everyone digs out their ball and wants to shoot around again," Sellers said. "If you get to a park with lights you'll see people playing until midnight. If you really like to play basketball, then you've got out be out here."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.