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Building a Basketball Court Michael Strahan helps a family of basketball fanatics build the backyard court of their dreams. From "Backyard Stadiums" episode DBYS-102

(Continued from page 3)

Building a Basketball Scoreboard

With three boys in the family sometimes fights can arise from keeping score. Host Michael Strahan and the Backyard Stadiums producers have designed a scoring center complete with a shot clock, scoreboard and public-announcement system for the boys to use. Maybe it'll keep the fights to a minimum and provide hours of fun for everyone in the neighborhood.

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You can't have a unique Backyard Stadiums basketball court without a state-of-the-art scoreboard.

Materials:

1 sheet of 5/8" pressure-treated plywood
one 1 x 8 sheet of pre-primed pine for shelving
screws
shot clock
scoreboard
PA speaker with microphone

Tools:

jigsaw
circular saw
chop saw
nail gun
pencils
tape measure
wood glue
hammer

Note: It's a good idea to cut the plywood first and then work on the shelving unit. The plywood will have three separate openings for the shot clock, scoreboard and PA speaker. All three electronic devices will rest on the shelves and will be secured to the facing.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Take a sheet of 5/8" pressure treated plywood and cut a piece that is 24" wide and 60" long with a circular saw or jigsaw.

Tip: When you measure the plywood, make sure the good side is facing down and that you mark the measurements out on the bad side (figure A).

Note: When marking, measure from the bottom up and put an arrow pointing to the top. For each measurement draw a full line across the plywood. After marking all the lines, go back and measure from the sides to mark out the exact shape of the openings.

2. From bottom up make lines across the plywood at the following measurements: 10", 22-5/8", 31-1/2", 36-7/8", 46" and 51-1/2". These measurements (figure B) are where each of the electronic devices will fit.

3. There are now six lines drawn across the plywood. Between 10" and 22-5/8" make an "X" — which is where the PA speaker will go. Between 31-1/2" and 36-7/8" make an "X" — which is where the scoreboard will go. Between 46" and 51-1/2" make an "X" — where the shot clock will go.

4. Use a speed square to measure out the exact size and location of the openings. Measure in 5-1/8" with speed square from both sides at the bottom to create the full box for the PA speaker.

5. Measure in 3-1/2" with speed square from both sides connecting the middle markings to create a full box for the scoreboard.

6. Measure in 8-1/2" with speed square from both sides connecting the top markings to create a full box for the shot clock.

7. Before cutting out the openings, make the decorative arc on the top of the plywood. To do this measure 48" from the bottom and 12" in from the sides, and this mark will be directly in the center of the top box. Make a tiny "X" and then hammer a nail halfway into the plywood (figure C). Then take a piece of string and loop it around the nail. Attach a pencil to it and stretch the string out to the edge of the plywood and trace the arc using the string as your guide (figure D). You should end up with a perfect archway.

8. Now that everything on the plywood is marked, it's time to start cutting. Drill a small pilot hole near the corner of each piece to be removed so you can insert the blade of your jigsaw and get started. Start off by cutting the hole for the PA speaker and work your way up.

Note: When using a jigsaw to cut out boxes its best to use a narrow blade. Also when making sharp turns with jigsaw slow down your general pace but continue to keep blade at fast speed. Using a jigsaw is sort of like driving, look ahead and follow the lines.

9. Finally, cut the arc out at the top of the scoring center.

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