BY CONNOR BORTZ
Recreational basketball has taken the high school by storm. For this upcoming season, there could be at least four teams suiting up for 2014-2015.
The teams–although they don’t have to be–are comprised of players of the same grade. The WarDogs is the sophomore team, Dirty Mike and the Boys and the Jackson 5 are the junior teams, and Terrace Park Rec and WarDogs (also known as “Touch the Rim”) are the senior teams.
Most leagues are divided up as one junior varsity league (freshmen and sophomores) and one varsity league (juniors and seniors).
Although not all of these teams will meet in the upcoming season, there is a chance that the junior and senior teams could all play one another at some point — whether that is during the regular season or the postseason.
Dirty Mike and the Boys
Players: Aaron Urevick, Wyatt Peterman, Roe Pitstick, Robby Neugent, Shea Wells, Spencer Stutenroth, Mac Nelson, Charlie Manzler, Mikey Barrett, Connor Jacob, and Jeffrey Timmers
Recap: Last season, Dirty Mike and the Boys ended up with a 1-12 season where their only win came against the Mason Comets. According to Urevick, their “claim-to-fame” win came against the Jackson 5 in a scrimmage before the season.
Nick Walter and DJ Bartlett led the squad as the two coaches–breaking clipboards and throwing basketballs if the players lacked the effort they were looking for.
The Future: A return season for Dirty Mike and the Boys this year is still in question, but they have quite the resume on which to hang their hats.
Terrace Park Rec
Players: Nick Cinquina, Connor Bortz, Chris Cascella, Parker Sullivan, Drew Serraino, and Daniel Simons
Sub: Connor Osgood
Recap: The team, led by head coach William Majchszak, ended last season with a solid 7-3 record. Cooper Hayes also claims to be a coach, but rarely showed up to any of the games, maxing out his attendance at one game.
According to Majchszak, who will be taking off the suit and putting his basketball shoes back on this year, what stood out about this team was their inability to take any situation seriously and their unwillingness to ever come off the court. Cascella even cost the team a win when he untied an opposing player’s shoelace which resulted in a technical foul and three free throws. The final score tallied 24-23.
WarDogs (“Touch the Rim”)
Players: Gavin Smith, Steve Hassey, Joseph Hu, Nick Payiatis, Nick Weston, Will Grimmer, Jon Hanley, Walker Van Hook, Alex Vago, and Graham McCarthy
Sub: Peter Payiatis (Nick’s little brother) and Dom Butler
Recap: Despite the highs and lows, the team came together and finished the season on a high note with a big win against their rival, Terrace Park Rec.
According to Nick Payiatis, player and coach, the team’s lack of production was due to the minimal fan base they had throughout the season. Payiatis also claims that the only people in the stands were the opposing teams’ parents, and none of their own would make the trip.
