There is a special kind of action taking place at Northland Park on Thursdays and Fridays this summer. The basketball courts at Northland, nestled near the border between Champlin and Brooklyn Park, have become the home of a league that looks to bring passionate players together in an organized, community-focused men’s league.
That league is the Powell Blacktop League, a grassroots effort created by Ronald Powell, who has served as a deacon at the Divine Love Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational, full gospel church in Champlin. Powell founded the league in 2022 and has not looked back. The 2024 league is split into four teams designated as Purple, Red, Black, and Grey. All teams play 5v5 basketball twice a week on Thursdays and Fridays in games refereed by a paid official with a timer, shot clock and tracked stats.
The Powell Blacktop League has multiple purposes, all centering on the mission to provide a space for players to gather, learn and grow. The league’s website provides a brief description of how it attempts to bridge faith, community and fitness for its players.
“At Powell Blacktop League, we are more than just a basketball league,” the website states. “We are a tightly-knit family committed to fostering an environment where young men can thrive both on and off the court. As a Christian-based organization, we uphold values of respect, integrity, and accountability. ... One of our primary objectives is to provide young men with a constructive and meaningful activity that not only promotes physical fitness but also instills important life skills. ... We strive to empower our players to become leaders both within our league and within the broader community.”
Powell, known as O.G. by the league’s players, told the Sun Post that the league has its roots in providing something to celebrate for young men in the basketball community around the Twin Cities.
“I know a lot of young guys, especially here around Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Saint Paul, New Brighton, Crystal, Robbinsdale, that this gives a sense of comradery to because they’re a part of something positive,” Powell explained. “We have expectations here and we avoid things like swearing. You’ll hear a little here and there but even when guys get heated here, it doesn’t boil over. They know that’s not what I believe in. ... At the end of the day, I just love seeing people come together and hoop. I remember back when I’d drive past [Northland Park] I could see the league on this court. That’s when I knew I needed to do this.”
The season was in full swing on July 11 when players met for their latest showdown. Team Red beat Team Grey 63-43 in a dominant matchup to open the night. Team Red’s Alvin Mokua, a Brooklyn Park-based alum from Providence Academy, was impressive against a Grey team that featured Park Center alum Aiden Memene. Other local players in the league include Osseo alum Temisan Denedo and Champlin Park alum Tobias Powell
Team Black held out against a late comeback from Purple to win 95-88. Play was competitive with both wins earned through skill and effort, with none of the four teams holding back.
The league’s play is an engaging combination of ambitious three-point shots and a rim hang after a statement dunks, but it’s not at the expense of team success. The players want wins, good defense, and general progression in stats.
When Powell started the league, he initially paid all expenses for the teams, covering items like uniforms and compensating the referees himself. Now responsibilities are shared with the teams in a system that helps every stay engaged.
“The first year there were people that were kind of in and out because I paid for everything. They didn’t have that financial incentive,” he said. “This year I found a good balance, where each person needs to provide about $50 to cover things and I created a website so it became easier for people to get in contact and register. ... There’s a lot of guys here who just love hooping, but I think they appreciate a controlled environment where they’ve got their stats, their averages. So they know if they miss a game, that affects their stats.”
Powell, who mans the stat sheet at games alongside his son at the clock, explained that he finds players in a grassroots, organic manner based on people he meets throughout the community.
“Guys who can hoop, they want to play against hoopers. ... I used to do a lot of hooping myself so I know a lot of these guys and it extends from there,” Powell said. “I go to the Lifetime Fitness’s in Champlin, Maple Grove, Plymouth and sometimes I see guys and I go up to them and introduce them to the leagues. I come out to parks and do the same. I think it helps to see people like myself excited about it, that helps everyone raise their energy.”
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