The Darien YMCA House
Basketball League comes at a time of the year when fall sports are winding
down, Christmas is on the way, and midterms are in sight. Most high-schoolers
are looking for an athletic break from all the chaos in their lives. House ball
is the perfect way for these youths to get out their swirling emotions in a
safe environment and still have a blast.
This year the 9th
and 10th grade boys league is looking formidable with many guys
coming from the high school basketball team and joining the “House Ball
Lifestyle”. The following rankings are just a projection so take them as you
may; they’re not meant to offend anyone, and I’m just giving my point of view.
1) Missouri
Star Player: Burke
Blatney
Mizzou looks to be a key
title contender, as they have some of the most height of any team in the
league. Sophomores Burke Blatney, Timmy Graham, and Spencer Stovall, all well
over six feet tall know how to put the moves on a defender and put the ball in
the bucket. The team also has an MVP hopeful in sophomore Tyler Grant, an
elusive guard who will be dishing out dimes to his three big comrades all year.
Look for this team to very possibly take home the title this year.
Projected Record: 11-0
2) Georgetown
Star Player: Mark
Evanchick
Although this is my team
no one can deny the fact that we have some skill and potential. The Hoyas
feature some of the most athletically-equipped and basketball-savvy players in
the league. Led by sophomores Michael Parsley, Mark Evanchick, Andrew Clarke,
and I, PK Brannigan, we create a tetrahedron of terror that seeks to wreak
havoc on the rest of the league by dominating the boards and paint. Look for us
to make a valiant playoff run but likely come up a little short.
Projected Record: 9-2
3) Washington
Star Player: Jamie
Schofield
One of the top teams in
the league is center around sophomore Jamie “The Magic Man” Schofield. The
former travel basketball beast knows how to drive the lane and put in through
the rim. Alongside the “Magic Man” you also have Teddy and Charlie Burke, two kids
that are not new to the house ball style of play. They do have a very empty
backcourt so a team with a skillful point guard may be able to take down this
formidable opponent. This combination of style, finesse, skill, and overall
shot-making ability will without a doubt help Washington make a deep push into
the playoffs.
Projected Record: 8-3
4) Stanford
Star Player: Colin
Minicus
With sophomores Colin
Minicus at the point and Sean Edgar at the 2, Stanford may be a force to be
reckoned with. Not only does this team possess two incredibly dynamic players,
they also have one of the most versatile players in the league in sophomore
Jack Wells. He is a guy that can get it done in the post but can also make it
rain from the three point line. This team may sneak up these power rankings and
give the rest of the league a run for their money.
Projected Record: 7-4
5) Duke
Star Player: Jack Murray
This team may lack
depth, a key component in the quintessential house team. That being said, Duke
also has a solid front five, including former travel basketball ace and
sophomore Jack Murray and one of the league's best big men, Fairfield Prep
sophomore Aidan Coyle. The only way for this team to come out on top is if they
figure out a way for the rookies of the team to step up and get work done on
both sides of the ball. Look for this team to find its stride mid-year and make
some waves in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 6-5
6) UConn
Star Player: Charlie
Sealy
The Huskies are looking
very rough around the edges, but with athletic anomalies like freshman Charlie
Sealy on their team, no one can truly know the potential this crew might have. Sophomore
Jack McCann may be a good athlete, but his tendency to keep the ball in his
hands too long could bring down this team. This team may not stand out compared
to the other teams in the league but look for UConn to upset the top teams and
go deep into the playoffs.
Projected Record: 6-5
7) Miami
Star Player: Connor
Mulliken
To be honest, the “U” is
a team without much talent as the top teams, but they do have one player who
knows how to get it done. Sophomore Connor Mulliken has been compared to Kobe
Bryant in his shot-making ability and Shaquille O’Neal in his ability to get big
rebounds. This team is looking to make waves throughout the season with the
combination of Mulliken and the two Corcoran brothers. The Hurricanes could
make a true push in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 5-6
8) Kansas
Star Player: Dylan
Griffin
This is another team
with numerous freshman but they are lucky enough to have the Kyrie Irving
equivalent of the league in sophomore Dylan Griffin. The Jayhawks also have a
great supporting cast for one of the league’s best, with Jake Bieler on the
boards and Charlie Wright behind the 3-pt line. This team is a definite sleeper
that may bring a few upsets but probably fall short in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 5-6
9) North Carolina
Star Player: Jack
Kniffin
The incredible
athleticism of this team is unmatched by any other in the league. That being
said the basketball skill from sophomore Jack Kniffin and the Klingman brothers
is not enough for a regular-season finish at the top of the standings. This
team may have a tough year unless they find salvation from sophomore Brendan
Seiler, who has had trouble in past years with consistency but may hit his
stride this year and bring the Tarheels to the top. Look for this team to have
a rough season but persevere and pull out some success.
Projected Record: 4-7
10) Kentucky
Star Players: Trifone brothers
Even though the Wildcats
have two candidates for House Ball MVP, sophomores Bobby and Christian Trifone,
this team just doesn’t match up to the skill level of most other teams in the
league. If a team can neutralize these two tremendous threats then Kentucky
will have a hard time putting together wins, unless some rookies step up to the
plate. Look for this team to have a short trip in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 3-8
11) Georgia Tech
Star Player: Brian
Keating
This team is composed of
all essentially all freshmen; I repeat: only two sophomores are on this team.
That is a huge disadvantage for this squad. Although the future of this team
may look bleak, freshman Brian Keating is one superstar that may bring salvation
to this morbid situation. Another way this team can find victory is if the two
sophomores, Nick Murphy and Mark Schmidt, step up and lead this team.
Projected Record: 1-10
12) Syracuse
Star Players: Drake brothers
The only true upside to
this team is the consistency of the Drake brother’s. Although Dolan Gregorich
is on this team as well, he tends to show up to games sporadically. When the
huge 6’5” beast comes to games, they could be a team that may find some success.
However, even if attendance is not an issue this year the depth of the team is;
without many strong backups, the team falls short once again.
Projected Record: 1-10
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