For The Love of The Game
Faleisha Michele Johnson born April 12, 1967 in Morrisania City Hospital, Bronx, New York at 12:58 am. At the age of 9 years old Faleisha, (Fee, Fila, and Fee Fee) was a few nicknames that I was called BY FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS. I started playing basketball with the Afro Sister’s in 1976, under the leadership of Bubba and Carl. Bubba owned a candy store on 151st Amsterdam Ave. He introduced me to bouncing a ball and I ran with it. Bubba also paid for all of our uniforms and tournaments that us girls played in. Carl was his right-hand man that coached, and drove us to our tournaments rather local or out of the state. Our trips to Canada was the best. They also made sure that we ate and got home safely. If it was not for Bubba, Carl and the candy store I don’t know how my life would have turned out. My first debut was playing at the P.A.L. League which took place at 552 West 52nd street in the downtown area of Manhattan, a small gym to some but a big gym to me. I played that game like I was a pro and knew what I was doing. That one game changed my life forever. I played and played and played, that’s all I knew was basketball, that was my peace.
I was introduced to Riverside Church in the late 70’s early 80’s by Bubba and Carl. Mr. Allen Black (May he rest in peace), the girls coach molded me some more and that made me a better player. It made me more knowledgeable, disciplined me, and made me appreciate the game even more. While playing for Mr. Black for several years on his younger team I was introduced to some great younger ball players along the way. We practiced and practiced with very strict and disciplined guidelines. Riverside Church was a name that everybody knew. As I got older I went on to play with older girls under the leadership of Mr. Black and that’s where I met Rerita Essanason (Noodie). Playing with her and the other girls molded me into being that excellent player that I was striving to become. Nothing was stopping me. I played with the older girls in every tournament that I could possibly imagine. Playing with them opened my eyes and I played like I was a pro (WNBA status). Back then there was no WNBA for those who should have definitely been drafted.
After playing so many years with Noodie and the older girls I became very cocky and confident in my game. I played with the best of the best under the leadership of Noodie, I was very much confident in my basketball skills and game that I could say, “I was one of the young girls that they could depend on.” My point guard skills (#1 girl) directed the team into winning many championship games in all the tournaments. My team depended on me to get them the gall and I did just that. I played in more tournaments, met new talents, and improved my game so much that Universities and Colleges wanted to recruit me. Wow, how I was shining. You could not tell me anything. I was ready to take on the world. University of Bridgeport was my choice to attend because they offered me a full scholarship. While attending the University I played with some of the best (Brenda Hill and Simone Courtlandt (Rip Simone). It was such a pleasure playing with them. After 2 years playing the University I felt it was not for me. I returned back to NY where I took many jobs. I still could not find my career job. I picked up again and back to CT I went. I finally landed a job at the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections. I am now a retiree of the DOC after 29 years. One thing that will always remain the same is the Love I have for Basketball.
