Miles Rawls’s booming voice roared inside the gates of the Barry Farm Dwellings basketball courts as three police cars sat parked at the end of a nearby dirt road.
On this early June night, the Goodman League, the outdoor summer basketball league in Southeast Washington that is open to anyone from professional players to high schoolers, was doing its best to operate as it has since 1975. Spectators set up folding chairs around the main court in front of metal bleachers as gusts of wind spread flecks of ash from a nearby grill into the crowd.
Rawls, the league’s commissioner, stood at midcourt, throwing out jokes, jabs and play-by-play commentary. It’s a spot he has occupied for the past 23 years but one that is in danger of disappearing.
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: Jump ball to start game two of the Goodman Basketball league which featured Team J (purple uniforms) and the Drew All-Stars (blue uniforms) at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: League Commissioner Miles Rawls MC’s during opening night of play for the Goodman Basketball League at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: Players from the Soul Runners (gray uniforms) and Basic Sports (blue uniforms) participate in opening night play of the Goodman Basketball league at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: Vendor from of Getting 2 it BBQ prepares food for spectators at opening night of the Goodman League basketball season at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: DCPD Special Operations officers J.R. Holder (left) and Dyson (right) patrol the Barry Farms grounds during opening night at the Goodman League. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: Barry Farms residents Thomasina Hawkins (left), Rhonda Young (center) and Wanda Lee (Right) take in action on opening night of the Goodman Basketball League at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 4: Jimmie Black of the Drew All-Stars (center in blue) plays defense during game against Team J on opening night of the Goodman Basketball League at Barry Farms. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)