Y Basketball Brings Down House
NEIRAD enilno edition
It’s hard to believe but the super-successful YMCA high school House Basketball has not been around as long everyone probably thinks. House hoops started in 2005 with the 9th-10th grade league because of the high demand for a league for players that did not want to commit to the high school team and wanted to play just for fun.
“Words cannot describe the enjoyment you get from playing house basketball,” junior elite House Basketball player Graham Hotchkiss said.
When the younger league started, juniors and seniors also wanted the opportunity to play in a fun relaxing league, so the YMCA added the 11th-12th grade league in 2007. Many guys were up for having fun without the pressure and commitment of a formal team sport. For high school hoops, there are three different leagues: one girls’ league and two boys’ leagues. The girls’ league is comprised of 9-12 grades, while the boys are broken into a 9th and 10th grade league and a 11th and 12th grade league.
Junior Evan Rogers has been playing house his whole life, and loves every minute of his time on the Middlesex court. “It’s great because I don’t have to commit my whole entire winter to basketball,” Rogers said.
One might think that because it is a town league since the intensity and level of competition would not be as great as the high school team. But anyone who thinks that has no idea what House is like until they experience it.
"The level of intensity is just as high (as the high school team) because kids are playing for bragging rights amongst their friends,” Rogers said.
As for the girls league, the intensity may not be as high, but the girls still love the House camaraderie. “It's cool to get to play against my friends and not worry about competition,” freshman Jenny Bealle said.
Part of the reason the level of competition is growing is the inclusion of top players opting instead to sign on for House. Junior John Foster spent last year on the DHS varsity team now he can be found ripping the nylon in the Middlesex Middle School new gym as a member of the Hornets. “There is nothing like starting fresh and playing house basketball. The various competition intrigues me,” Foster said.
Other members of the varsity squad are joining Foster. Juniors Chris Carmody, Tommy Farren, and Stockton McMullin succumbed to the pressure singing onto House last season. These players that are now “house ballers” are starting to improve with the high competition that comes with this Y league. Darien YMCA Sports Director Joe Marzano is also the director of House Basketball. “More kids are playing house over the years because it’s low commitment and fun. It is only one or two days a week, so it allows kids to do other activities and still participate in basketball,” Mr Marzano said.
The transition between the 9th and 10th grade league to the 11th and 12th grade leagues can be hard for many players. Last year in the 9th and 10th grade league there were two games per week, and one practice. Now they only have one game a week and one practice.
In the upperclassmen league, players have to adjust to playing one game a week and no extra practices. “It’s really a shame that we don’t get to play as many games as previous years. I loved the two games a week, the thrill you get from playing in two games doesn’t feel the same when you only get to play once a week,” Farren said. In order to keep their skills sharp, players from every league can be found at the YMCA any day of the week during open gym time. Although there are not a lot of games being played, it allows kids to participate in other activities. “Because it is only one or two days a week, it allows kids to do other activities such as track, volleyball, or indoor lacrosse and still participate in basketball,” Mr Marzano said.
Come check it out. The season runs through Feb 7 and playoffs begin Feb. 8. The girls play Saturdays at 2pm-3pm in the South Gym. The 9th and 10th boys’ league plays Sundays starting at 9a-2p in the Middlesex Middle School new gym. The 11th and 12th grade boys’ league has games on Sundays 2p-6p also in the Middlesex new gym.
