“Team on 3… 1, 2, 3… TEAM!! Ok see you next week, guys!” says one teammate to another. That’s pretty much how it goes for someone who is a part of a SYC house basketball team. Only one practice a week with games on Saturdays. The fun-filled season starts in the beginning of December and ends with a championship between the two best teams in the league at the end of March. While this league is a little less competitive than high school sports, it still has very fast paced, action-packed games.
“We have one game and one practice a week, so we still have free time to get our school work done,” said senior Sammy Tadesse.
A large amount of SYC athletes that are on the teams now have been playing since they were little kids, and they almost find it a tradition to go out there year after year, having fun and playing an intense game of basketball with their friends.
“Ive been playing SYC since I was 8 years old, and each year SYC hasn’t failed to make the season fun and extraordinary. I don’t [plan on] not playing next year or the year after that anytime soon,” said seven-year SYC veteran sophomore George Franco.
A lot of students claim that SYC is just more fun than high school sports. Other students may not have the time to participate in them, or they aren’t on the level of athleticism you need to be at for high school sports.
“I really do not have time for [high school sports]. Practice six days a week for three hours is way too much for me. I couldn’t get good grades if I played high school basketball,” said senior Sammy Tadesse.
High school sports have less flexibility within the team. Athletes don’t have a choice for who is on their team, compared to house leagues like SYC, where competitors can pick and choose their teammates in a draft. In addition, coaches on SYC teams understand other commitments, and are more likely to forgive their athlete if they miss a practice. On the other hand, in high school sports, if you miss a practice you will face the consequences, which could be extra conditioning during practice or little to no playing time at all during games.
“After experiencing a year of being on the basketball team for WS and now playing SYC house basketball, I’ve personally had a lot more of a fun season playing SYC. Representing your HS is cool and all, but the commitment is overwhelming and my grades are more important than sports,” said sophomore Vince Capuano.