Just For The Fun Of It

We thought it would be appropriate to review how we will communicate game status during periods of winter weather.

1) Schools Closed– if schools are closed that means Community Use of Schools activities are also cancelled and that means no games for us.

2) Bus Cancellations– this is where most of the confusion comes from. Buses are cancelled early in the morning, but in most cases schools remain open. We may or may not play those days based on the weather and forecast mid afternoon.

3) On snowy days we will make the decision to cancel games or play based on the best information available between one and two PM.

4) If the decision is made to cancel games we will make that announcement on our Facebook page, website and X. I most cases we will NOT announce that games will be played, only that they are cancelled.

In all cases, we ask that you make the decision to come out, or stay home based on the conditions in your area. Remember that conditions can vary widely across our region, and we hope your decision will be made in the interests of your family safety. R

Results of Games Played Monday December 2, 2024

Bulls 63 (Colton Irwin 6, Raymond Fiegen 2, Keoni Larson 3, Cole Bransfield 2, Brady Warren 7, Wesley Black 9, Axl Fritz 15, Ziggy Lewis 17, Malachi Lewis 2); Celtics 63 (JJ Stotz 26, Simon Drumm 2, Moxen Drew 4, Isaac De Los Santos Castillo 11, Liam McCloy 9, Howie Moulton 5, Bode Splinter 4, Greydon Malinowski 2)

Sixers 61 (Nathan Orr 19, Dylan Johnston 15, Jacob Piat 4, Devon Johnston 2, Elliot Zouros 4, Carsten Livingston 5, Heath Coombes 8, Mason Martin 4); Heat 56 (Alexander Bridgen 7, Oliver Boal 6, Matthew Edmunds 2, Aiden Rooyakkers 2, Henry Miranda 7, Theo Sothman 11, Zachary Griffin 16, Brady McKercher 5)

Warriors 62 (Noah Heistetkamp 16, Carter Mackenzie 1, Marlow White 3, Charlie Bellemore 2, Darius Atterberry 16, Chidiebube Obilor 4, Mason Guindon 4, Callum MacDonald 4, Brayden Babcock 12); Hawks 56 (Colton Olner 2, Joshua Romero Brown 16, Oscar Martinez Munier 4, Braylon Villenueve 1, Harland Armstrong 2, Oliver Moreland 2, Benjamin Anderson 2, Ayden Freeman 13, Nicholas Tadeu 14)

Results of Games Played Monday December 2, 2024

Raptors 29 (Simon Brome 8, Clark Cotton 6, Charlie LaBarge 5, Bentley Cornelius 4, Lochlan Roberts 2, Christopher McKenzie – Mills 2, Owen Vanderlinde 2); Magic 23 (Liam Kirkpatrick 9, William Gowsell 4, Sebastian Romero-Mathews 4, George Shayo 2, Jaxson Ventura 2, James Gowsell 2)

Grizzlies 54 (Asher Lambert 12, Judah Splinter 10, Tahjae Daley 10, Colby Lina 6, Tyler Tadeu 4, Kohen Pyke 4, Joey Chartrand 4, Liam Bairs 2, Maverick DaSilva – Costa 2); Nuggets 24 (Jaden Huganas 14, Chris Couture 6, Lucas Breckenridge 2, Mason Campbell 2)

Orange 55 (Logan Hollywood 15. Eli Sothmann 14, Avery Boehme 12, Levi Vanyolai 8 , William Mitchell 2, Teddy Sheppard 2, Devan Hunter 2); Spurs 24 (Vincent Yonick Mundacruz 4, Noah McCarthy 4, Nate Tilley 4, Cecil MacKenzie 3, Brady Drew 2, Will Huddle 2, James McCarthy 2, Gabriel Olive 2, Lohen Buscaino 1)

Suns 48 (Lucas Valente 18, Lincoln Locke 10, Moses Milkom 8, Saul Tilley 6, Ryker Blacklaus 2, Felix Arnold 2); Jazz 24 (John Allen 9, Jack Rooney 5, Emmett Grant 4, Jaxyn Alguire 2, Wynton Fisher 2, Jack Payne 2)

This week marks the mid point in our 70th anniversary season, a season that should have been one of reflection on a great history as we looked ahead to the promise of a bright future continuing forward. Instead, this season we have had an unprecedented number of complaints about our volunteer coaches, scorer keepers, team assignments, referee integrity and competence, player conflicts, and parent conflicts, to name a few. Add to that issues with parents coaching from the seats, and seemingly never ending special requests, and you get our concern.

All of these have been dealt with by our volunteers, but all of those take their toll on them too.

Youth sports everywhere are plagued by referees and volunteer coaches quitting or not even getting involved because of abuse from adults at children’s games. Now, even with our program, officials are accused of bias, and calls as well as competence, are routinely challenged- some even by players in our Little Guys Division, and in the Graduate Division it has become pervasive every night. As someone that has been a basketball referee for more than a half century now, let me be perfectly clear. We do not care who wins, I never knew what the standings were, and I can guarantee I know the rules better than most involved with our program. With no referees we have no games.

Our volunteers are not “the other”. The people that can be blamed if something goes wrong. If a foul is called, it’s bias. If my child doesn’t score, the coach should have the scorer on the team give up the ball. Because of a failure, whether it be a missed shot, a turnover, a foul or your player scoring, someone else is not always to blame. There is a basketball adage that says “You miss 100 % of the shots you don’t take”. Within that same adage is the implication that you are not going to make 100% of those shots either. Take another shot. Failure on the court occasionally does not require a scapegoat, it requires perseverance.

Early in the season I wrote about the necessity of a partnership between the volunteers and the families to ensure a successful season for the players. I know that we are human and we will make mistakes, and I do not expect unwavering support from you either. I hope for perspective, respect for each other, respect for the game, and understanding about what we are trying to do in the league – give the children a safe and affordable place to learn how much fun the game can be, and maybe teach some life lessons along the way.

My concern going forward is that the increasing barrage of negativity will cause our experienced volunteers to wear down, and new volunteers – particularly referees – to not come in at all. The demise of organizations like ours, if it happens, will leave families with no real affordable option for youth sports. Then the options will only be high cost alternatives. Death by a thousand cuts.

Results of Games Played Thursday, November 28, 2024

Slammers 24 (Zoey Hepburn 8, Kamila DaSilva 6, Karmyn DaSilva 6, Delilah Quann 2, Isla Vignacourt 2); Monarchs 12 (Peyton Richardson 6, Ella Gallagher 4, Emma Harmsen 2)

Lions 34 (Vanessa Marrison 14, Ellie Bolton 6, Madison Garrett 4, Isabella Portyansky 4, Lyric Dyer 2, Ellie MacDonald 2, Delilah Reynolds 2); Tigers 2 (Marie Smith 2)

Aztecs 14 (Naomi Morrison 6, Nora Boles 4, Serenity Smith 2, Olivia Emery 2); Golden Gals 6 (Monroe McCall 4, Harper Langridge 2)

Rebels 28 (Avelynn MacDonald 6, Lydia Stott 4, Ainsley Sears 4, Brooklyn Patterson 4, Rosalie Surgeoner 4, Evelina Cimellaro 2, Vivienne Doornekamp 2, Ava Cole 2); Rockers 14 (Ainsley Kennedy 6, Evalynn Brathwaite 4, Neziya Poser 2, Reave Vandervelt 2)

Results of Games Played Wednesday November 27, 2024

Mercury 35 (Kadence Ryan 10, Charlie Dee 8, Madelyn Myles 6 , Abigail Eamer 5, Emma Griffin 2, Grace Aikens 2, Abby Stott 2); Storm 3 (Adriana Bracciodieta 12, Annalise Wordley 12 , Taleah Blacklaw 6, E vy Dixon 4, , Amarachi Obilor 2, Rhyenne MacDonell 1)

Sparks 16 (Brooklyn Freeman 6, Claire Rix 4, Ava Schmidt 2, Isobel Reason 2, Sydney Cox 2); Sting 28 (Savannah Deszpoth 10, Maeve Huddle 4, Anastasza Windover 4, Hudson MacGregor 4, Isabele Cook-Dafoe 2, Aya Abdoulhafize 2, Duaa Tijani 2 )

Starzz 29 (Mira Vanyolai 8, Willa Murphy 7, Stella Boussougou 6, Taliyah Armstrong 4, Hailey Gundert 2 , Findlay Dunlop 2 ); Dream 18 (Gabriella Mundacruz 6, Nevaeh Buscaino 4,Brooklyn Knott 3, Maddalena Castro 2 , Kenley Green 2, Monarch Malinowski 1)

Liberty 27 (Jaden Hope 11, Skyla -Marie Marchand 6, Hailey Henderson 6, Avery Serson 2, Laura Provost 2); Sky 38 (Ellery Sullivan 10, Reece Menzies 8, Grace Allen 6, Scarlett Hurd 6, Sadie O’Donnell 6 , Lottie O’ Donnell 2 )

Results of Games Played Tuesday November 27, 2024

Hoyas 30 (Ben McMillian 8, Zephyr Thompson 6, Wyatt Petras 6, Leyton Locke 4, Nathan Moore 2, Lito Vieira 2, Noah Ferguson 2); Tarheels 12 (Jacob Moniz 4, Airyck Miller 4, Jace Menard 2, Bronson Derochie 2)

Huskies 28 (Simon McMillan 8, Ike Obilor 8, Ellis Simpson 6, Griffin MacPherson 4, Teddy Hord 2); Jayhawks 6 (James Postma 2, Mac Woods 2, Spencer MacGregor 2)

Hoosiers 20 (Owen Morris Pocock 6, Colt Denison 6, Kingslee Brushey 6, Logan Gilbert 2); Wildcats 16 (Blaker DeBoer 6, Thomas Morgenstern 6, Sebastian Menesses 4)

Mustangs 22 (Cooper Adams 7, Morris Mignault 6, Ryker Reis 5, Lincoln MacDonald 2, Levon Fry 2); Wolfpack 12 (Blake Thomson 8, Jace Decaire 2, Ryan Chai 2)

Last night we had our annual Sneaker Draw and the list of prize winners is below. For players in the Graduate Division, your prizes can be picked up from Lynne Mason Monday night at your games. For all other divisions, prizes can be picked up at the St. Francis of Assisi canteen.

1) The SHOES! Meghan DeSlippe
2) Gym Bag – Seymone Armstrong
3) Gym Bag – Mel Payne
4) Pilot House GC – Jaden Huganas
5) Pilot House GC- Mel Payne
6) Shoe Bag – Zoe Yanovsky-
7) Shoe Bag – Kathy Southward
8) Shoe Bag – Finley Dunlop
9) Shoe Bag – Christine Donnelly
10) Shoe Bag – Hal Cowie
11) Shoe Bag – Grace Allen
12) WNBA BBALL- Christine Aikens
13) WNBA BBALL – Colton Woodman
14) NBA BBall – Jaden Huganas
15) NCAA BBall – William Mitchell
16) Spalding BBALL – Jesica Lefeune

Congratulations to the prize winners and to all that bought tickets on another sold out draw!

Results of Games Played Monday November 25, 2024

Sixers 60 (Nathan Orr 18, Bacher Abdoulhafize 6, Dylan Johnston 20, Jacob Piat 2, Devon Johnston 8, Elliot Zouros 6); Warriors 59 (Colton Woodman 6, Marlow White 7, Darius Atterberry 14, Chidiebube Obilor 12, Mason Guindon 3, Carter Guindon 4, Calum MacDonald 4, Brayden Babcock 7)

Celtics 58 (Simon Drumm 6, JJ Stotz 18, Isaac De Los Santos Castillo 2, Liam McCoy 4, Howie Moulton 6, Matthew Leveridge 2, Bode Splinter 12, Greydon Malinowski 8); Heat 51 (Yusuf Zaxif 2, Alexander Bridgen 8, Henry Miranda 5, Oliver Boal 2, Luca Lagvine 2, Coby Yonick-Mundacruz 4, Theo Sothman 17, Brady McKercher 6, Jacob Bell 5)

Bulls 69 (Jackson Burtch 2, Jack O’Connor Wordley 4, Raymond Fiegen 4, Keoni Larson 2, Chase Leonardo 9, Cole Bransfield 4, Brady Warren 9, Axil Fritz 14, Ziggy Lewis 14, Malachi Lewis 7); Hawks 67 (Mason Beleza 14, Colton Olner 7, Joshua Romero Brown 6, Oscar Martinez Munier 4, Oliver Moreland 2, Freddy Warren 30, Nicholas Tadeu 4)

Results of Games Played Monday November 25, 2024

Jazz 46 (Cohen Valente 11, John Allen 7, Wynton Fisher 6, Cooper Lascelle 6, Emmett Grant 6, Jack Rooney 4, Jack Payne 4, Ashton Vivian 2); Spurs 18 (Nate Tilley 6, Will Huddle 4, James McCarthy 2, Kolton Buscaino 2, Leland Hunt 2, Gabriel Olive 2)

Magic 38 (Liam Kirkpatrick 13, Sebastian Romero Mathews 8, Jaxson Ventura 6, Bentley Babcock 4, George Shayo 3, William Gowsell 2, Jack Cooper 2); Nuggets 22 (Jaden Huganas 10, Mason Campbell 6, Lucas Breckenridge 2, Benson Breckenridge 2, Connor Warren 2)

Grizzlies 47 (Asher Lambert 14, Tahjae Daley 11, Colby Lina 8, Tyler Tadeu 4, Judah Splinter 2, Liam Baird 2, Henry DeCouto 2, Jacob Turpin 2, Kohen Pyke 2); Orange 46 (Logan Hollywood 16, Avery Boehme 8, Eli Sothmann 5, Nicholas Thompson 4, William Mitchell 2, Callum Petras 2, Levi Vanyolai 2, Teddy Sheppard 2, Jacob Francis 2, own goal 2, Devan Hunter 1)

Raptors 34 (Simon Broome 17, Bentley Cornelius 9, Cohen Letourneau 2, Clark cotton 2, wen Vanderlinde 2, Lochlan Roberts 1, Cassius Heighington 1); Suns 17 (Lincoln Locke 4, Ryker Blacklaus 4, Felix Arnold 4, Lucas Valente 4, Saul Tiffany 1)