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“Look at this picture of me,” said Brown, pulling out his cellphone. The photo showed an obese teen who looked nothing like Brown. Asked how he lost so much weight, he said: “I got addicted to basketball.”

Jones is one of the Little Earth members who come regularly to the games. Several of her nephews play on the team.

“They get us all out of the house to support them,” said Jones. “They’ve got great team spirit.”

During one practice, one of the players grabbed my hand. “You know we’re good kids, right?”

Coach Roberts explained: “Sometimes they get stereotyped because of the neighborhood.”

Cassandra Holmes’ son, Trinidad, is the trainer for the team. He has an enlarged heart and recently had a surgical implant to correct it, so he can’t play. But he loyally logs statistics, and during practices it’s his job to keep track of anyone who cusses so they can be dealt with later.

Little Earth ended up losing Wednesday in a tight game, but the crowd was entertained.

“All the kids are really great,” said Holmes. “They’ve got a great attitude and are good role models for the little kids. That’s why I made my little son get away from his games and come to watch them play. We’re really proud of them.”

jtevlin@startribune.com • 612-673-1702