The 2024 Recess Kickball League Season by Jacques Morel
This is a photo essay on the 2024 Recess Kickball League season. This is my second photo essay on the league. For the first dispatch click here. As mentioned in the 2023 story, this is purely from my perspective. Some teams are left out and it is not intentional. All of the photos are on film and shot by Jacques Morel unless otherwise noted. There is another batch of photos I culled this from that you can check out here. If you want prints of these or any photos in the larger batch, shoot me a DM/text/email! Feel free to repost, just give me photo credit where applicable 😘.
New Year, New Teams
The Dynasty captain Omari Brown sizes up a pitch from The Black Mamba’s DeVaughn Powell. Omari, the 2023 MVP and former member of The Juice Crew, stepped up to the mantle and became the captain of his own team, The Dynasty, alongside Ivie Clifford.
Rain or Shine, The Blueprints Shine
The Blueprints in our third year! This was from our first practice, a cold, wet, and rainy day. We’re a team of veterans at this point, so a first practice in the rain isn’t crazy at all.
Pictured from left to right: Ramel Page, my co-captain Kiana Tipton, Alusine Jalloh, Chinedu Onyema, Seun Sobande, and Leslie Rosales.
Hey Rookies, Welcome To The Family
The rookie class of 2024. The league expanded to 10 teams (The Dynasty and Pink Pantherz) in 2024, which allowed about 40+ new spots into the league. The application process was fierce — over 180 submissions. This is an amazing rookie class, and all of them brought vibes, fun, and energy every week. Our rookie, Sahara Gipson, can be seen in the second row wearing a dark grey hoodie.
Introducing Sahara Gipson!
Our rookie Sahara Gipson pictured with the Juneteenth Classic trophy. Sahara was a joy from the jump. We Blueprints are a very active group and she fit right in.
Reintroducing Janine Copeland!
Blueprint rookie Janine Copeland and her boo Ashanti. Janine was a returning player, having played in the first year of the league. She was a lovely addition to The Blueprints.
The Backbone
The Recess Kickball League front office. It’s a volunteer role, but these are the social managers, referees, planners, and overall glue that keeps the league together. Without them, the experience would not be as invigorating and seamless as it is. A thankless job, tbh!
From Detroit With Love
Marcus Bennett warms up. Marcus, a former D1 hurdler, was our shutdown shortstop for three years. A Detroit native, he always carried every bit of the energy on our team that someone from the Motor City would.
Family first. Competition second.
The team members of The Dynasty and The Black Mambas embrace after a hard-fought game.
Only Pain (for us, at least, ha!)
OnlyPANS captains Ugi Ugwuomo and Felicia Alston conversate on the sidelines during a game. I might have mentioned this in the last photo essay, but OnlyPANS have beaten my team every year. They’re tenured in the league — sometimes it feels like an older sibling who always manages to one-up you no matter how hard you try (but maybe not one-up… as the losses are ass-whoppings, ha!).
The Purple Reign
Purple Reign rally during a game. This team is the definition of grit. Two straight semi-finals appearances, and almost all of their games are tight. Captained by Erick Vilson and Nia Hockaday, they’re returning 15 of 16 players in 2025 and will undoubtedly be one of the teams to beat.
We All Work Hard, But Jen Works Harder
Jen Clayton, one of the stars of Purple Reign, celebrates a win on on the field.
You Know What Goes Well With Cake? Clementines.
The Juice Crew celebrate the birthdays of Nicole Santos and Tochi Ukaigwe (both pictured holding cupcakes). Each team is like a familial unit with its own rituals, birthdays, and spirit. Juice Crew is possibly one of the most locked-in teams in the league. Their photos at Ukaigwe’s wedding that summer were gorgeous!
It’s always a party!!
BLUEEEPRINTTSSS!
Pictured from L-R starting at the top: Marcus Bennett, Seun Sobande, Alusine Jalloh, Chantella Mitchell, Kasia Gibbs, Sahara Gipson, Ramel Page, Chinedu Onyema, Jozen Cummings, Janine Copeland, Whitney Holloway, Leslie Rosales & Kiana Tipton.
Sweet But Deadly
The Pink Pantherz’ Monifa Brooks. Off the field, Monifa is one of the sweetest, realest, and coolest people. On the field? She’s a killer. One time, during a scrimmage with my team where the Pantherz were winning 8–0, she argued with me over a call at first base. I felt like it wasn’t that serious because A: they were winning, and B: it was a scrimmage. But when you’re as competitive as Monifa is, every point matters — scrimmage or not.
One More Run?
Darien “Dar” LaBeach watches his Silver Supernovas during their semi-final game against the Juice Crew. Dar has been the best player in the league for three straight years. He’s taken his team to two title matches, with one victory. Will he return for a fourth season? Or will he hang up his cleats and skirt and sashay into the sun?
Sold out dates V1.
What other intramural regularly brings hundreds of people to spectate? Seriously!
Lock In
Nate Hemingway gets some feedback from 24Karats captain Tyriel Wright. Also pictured here are Sean Gadson and Nnenna Onyema.
Laughing In The Purple Reign
Pictured from left: Danielle Wright, Helina Nadew, Ashley Woodruf, Jonathan Davis & Jen Clayton.
The Price Of Gold Is Always Going Up.
24Karat Gold locked in ahead of their wildcard game. Pictured from left to right: Noami Bogale, Sean Gadson, JustBeLou, Nnenna Onyema, Sid Kommuru, and Kimani Elliot.
All For One, One For All.
Focus
Cristen Milliner of CodeRED lines up at first base. To her left is Nnenna Onyema.
Bittersweet
Our final team photo of 2024. We lost in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row. It was tough, but I’m still proud of the work we did as a team! The Juice Crew, who we tied with in the Juneteenth Classic, bested us in an overtime classic.
Photo cred: Cesar Reynoso
It’s The Finals, Baby!
The 2024 Recess Kickball League championship game. 24Karat Gold vs The Juice Crew.
Sold out dates v2.
The crowd for the championship game was huge. Final count: about 300 attendees.
Safe Or Out?
Glenda Silva (holding the kickball) was soooo clutch in the field. I do not remember how this play was called, but Glenda was rock solid whenever she took third base for The Juice Crew. PIctured left to right - Glenda Silva, Tim Antakora & Tyriel Wright.
What’s The Count?
Elliot Curtis, captain of the Juice Crew, runs to first base. Elliot is such a cerebral player - he was always a step ahead.
“I Love The Game. I Love ToHustle”
Tochi Ukaigwe takes a brief second to lock in the moment.
Jobs Not Done
Lakeisha Herman locked in.
DUN DUN DUUUN V1
Franklyn Phillip Jr. with one of the catches of the game. Honestly, some of the plays in this game should’ve been on SportsCenter!
DUN DUN DUUUN V2
Zahir Carrington pulls in a clutch catch in the late innings of the game.
For The Glory
Rhema Watkins locked in at first base after a clutch kick during a tie game. Rhema, like the vast majority of the league, is a working professional. The level of competition we bring to the field shows up in our professions at times, but definitely not like how it does on a Saturday morning against a league rival.
2x Champs
24Karat wins the title in a classic.
Family first. Competition second.
Automatic
The championship game MVP - Tim Atakora.
Your 2024 Recess Kickball League champions, 24Karat Gold!
Pictured from left to right (top row) - Kimani Elliot, Franklyn Phillip Jr, Sean Gadson, Naomi Bogale, Tyriel Wright (C), Ashley Fox, Nate Hemingway, Rana Abu-Ghazala (C),
(Bottom Row) - Naomi Bogale, Elizabeth Luke, Gabi Woodland, JustBeLou, Jackie Soto & Tim Antakora