Street basketball takes center court on Erie St.

Youngstown Blackout will take on AND 1 players.

YOUNGSTOWN — National street basketball players arrive today to play a local team as part of the “Can You Hold the Rock 2008 Tour.”

AND 1 players will face off against Youngstown’s Blackout at 6 p.m. at the South Side Sports Complex at 1840 Erie St.

The 11 a.m. pre-party features a rib burn-off and a music video shoot by local rapper 100 Proof. Contests will crown the best cars and motorcycles, the best dancers, and the best in slam-dunk and 3-point shots.

Halftime entertainment includes rapper 100 Proof, New York Konvict Muzik group QWes and the Chaney and East high school cheerleaders.

A red carpet after-party at B&O Station Banquet Hall on Mahoning Avenue at 9 p.m. will feature the game’s halftime rappers and more local performers, including rappers Gotta Hustle and Lipsy.

Admission to the game costs $8 for 12-and-younger and $20 for everyone else. Admission to the after-party is $10 and the minimum age is 18 for women and 21 for men.

The event also features a giveaway of $250 shoes from Kashi Kicks and is sponsored by Ron Haus Auto Group and AAA Customs.

Youngstown community youth director Andrea Mahone’s program Increase the Peace worked on the project after La Tour contacted Mayor Jay Williams’ office. Increase the Peace is a youth program organized by the city, the Youngstown school board, the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center and the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

“I think its going to be something that Youngstown has never seen before,” Mahone said, likening the street-ballers to the Harlem Globetrotters, though “Hold the Rock” features a full game.

Mahone said security will be in place and the event expects Williams, Judge Theresa Dellick of the JJC and city council members as guests.

This game kicks off Los Angeles promoter La Tour’s summer tour with the AND 1 players that will hit Detroit and Charlotte, N.C.