Semi-Final Round
July 30, 2009

ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA		21 - 14		35
KRIBEL'S BAKERY			22 - 26		48

Scoring:
ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA - Niemiec Nicole 20 (10, 0-1, 0),
Vates Karly 6 (3, 0-0, 0), Lewis Lamar 5 (2, 1-4, 0),
Covington Chris 4 (2, 0-0, 0), Daniels Darryl 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Haskins Matt 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Williams Alex 0 (0, 0-0, 0);
KRIBEL'S BAKERY - Evans Nicole 32 (15, 2-4, 0),
Luffy Amanda 10 (5, 0-0, 0), Weaver Khori 6 (3, 0-0, 0),
Stewart Alaina 0 (0, 0-0, 0).

Fouls:
ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA - Lewis 2, Niemiec 1, Vates 1, Daniels 1;
KRIBEL'S BAKERY - Evans 4, Weaver 3, Luffy 2.

NOTE: This was a wild and wooly game that will stick with us
      for a lot of reasons. Mainly, it should be remembered
      for the remarkable individual and team achievement of
      both Nicole Evans and the Kribel's Bakery girls. Amanda
      was sick, Alaina did her best, and Khori seemed to be
      everywhere. But it was Nicole Evan's Day and that's
      what we'll remember when the dust settles. Go Girls!

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PITTSBURGH VALET		24 - 19	- 2	45
A-BOSS OPTICIANS		22 - 21 - 8	51

Scoring:
PITTSBURGH VALET - Wicks Loren 28 (10, 2-5, 2),
Manuel Nick 9 (3, 0-0, 1), Perrett Shannon 4 (2, 0-0, 0),
Roell Mark 2 (1, 0-0, 0), Conard Andrew 2 (1, 0-0, 0),
Hanlon Meghan 0 (0, 0-0, 0), McGlynn Katie 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Shaw Abigail 0 (0, 0-0, 0);
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Kalsek Joey 32 (11, 4-15, 2),
Suwalski David 15 (6, 0-2, 1), Tranter Philip 4 (2, 0-0, 0),
Jacobs Luke 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Skiff Hannah 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Peters Tyler 0 (0, 0-0, 0).

Fouls:
PITTSBURGH VALET - Wicks 3, Manuel 3, Conard 2, Perrett 1;
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Kalsek 2, Suwalski 1, Tranter 1.

Opening Round
July 29, 2009

ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA		16 -  9		25
PITTSBURGH BOXING CLUB		12 - 10		22

Scoring:
ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA - Lewis Lamar 11 (1, 3-4, 2),
Niemiec Nicole 5 (2, 1-2, 0), Covington Chris 5 (2, 1-2, 0),
Haskins Matt 2 (1, 0-0, 0), Vates Karly 2 (1, 0-0, 0),
Williams Alex 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Daniels Darryl 0 (0, 0-0, 0);
PITTSBURGH BOXING CLUB - Ragan Lauren 12 (6, 0-0, 0),
Butler Daniel 4 (2, 0-0, 0), Colwell Alicia 4 (2, 0-0, 0),
Ragan Erica 2 (1, 0-2, 0), Noel Marcus 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Cirigliano Mike 0 (0, 0-0, 0).

Fouls:
ANTONIO'S PIZZERIA - Niemiec 3, Daniels 1;
PITTSBURGH BOXING CLUB - Ragan E 2, Colwell 1, Ragan L 1,
Cirigliano 1.

Hello Parents, Players and Friends,

It's not close to playoff time, but it will be here before
we know it, and it's important to make note of a few things
before we get to that point in the season.

First, all teams will make the playoffs.  That should take
some of the pressure off of the players and coaches.  These
twelve regular season games are not all about winning and
losing.  There is so much going on here that has nothing to
do with winning and losing.  All wins and losses do are
determine what position a team will take during the only
games where winning really matters, the playoffs.

So, with the pressure taken off winning or losing,
just what is it that we are trying to accomplish here?

First, we have brought fifty kids together to play the
game of basketball in a structured learning environment.
The whole idea of forming a league was to provide a proper
atmosphere where these kids could learn both skills and
an understanding of the actual game of basketball.  The
only real way to do this is to play games, lots of them.

Forming teams necessitates the concept of teamwork, and helps
create a bond between the players.  Hard work and dedication
will further strengthen these concepts.  Our coaches and
instructors will do the best that they can to help with
this process.  But, in the end, it is the desire of the
individual players that will determine the success or
failure of this endeavour.  We hope that everyone will do
their best to learn the fundamentals of the game, define
their roles as a team player, and work hard to improve
their skills.  This is the key to success, and the only
way to help their team improve.

Now, we do have a wide range of ages involved in this
league. It is unrealistic to think that most nine
year olds will become dominant members of their teams.
We do not consider this a problem, and hope that these 
junior players do not become discouraged by their size 
or lack or parity with the more experienced players.
Every player will get an equal chance to participate.

Considering the junior players, it is our goal to teach
them the following...

- To learn to dribble the ball upcourt or around the
perimeter and to be able to pass.
- To learn the various positions and know where to be
on the court during offense and defense.
- To learn the flow of the game and become familiar with
some of the rules.
- To learn the concept of team spirit.
- To learn not to be afraid to get on the court with 
bigger and older players and to do their best.

To expect much more from these junior players would be a
tall order. If we can teach them these five things then
I think this experience will be worthwhile.  In the years
to come they will be further along in their development.

Regardless of age or skill level, all players are
members of a team, and must function as a team in order
to succeed as a team.  The older players will probably
do much of the scoring, but the ball bounces in all
directions, and it will often end up in the hands of
the less skilled junior player.  What will they do next?
Hopefully this experience will teach them the proper
way to deal with this situation.

Everyone will play a role in their team's success,
whether it be as a scorer, rebounder, passer, or
just a player who knows how to handle themselves
in game situations and does their best to help keep
the ball in play.

It is important to note that there are many dynamics
involved here, and experience has taught us that we
must give this league, these teams, our coaches and
officials, and ourselves, the necessary time to evolve.
The kids need time to get to know each other and their
coaches. The teams need time to develop and learn to
execute. The staff needs time to observe, evaluate and
make whatever corrections are needed. To expect instant
results is not realistic.

Trust us. What we see in game's 1 through 4 will not be
what we see in game's 9 through 12. Please be patient
with the process and allow the teams to evolve. Many
times we have seen top seeded teams get knocked off in
playoff games by low seeded teams that just took longer
to get their games in gear.

With respect to our coaches.  These individuals are
volunteers and have been chosen by our staff because
they have demonstrated an ability to instruct and get
results.  Our coaches are doing their best, and each
has a different and unique style.  Remember that yelling
and a certain level of intensity are bred in a
competitive environment.  As much as we try to downplay
winning and losing, the desire to win sometimes can be
a bit overwhelming.  We are all human.  Please do your best
to respect the coaches and their decisions.  If they make
a mistake, the mistake will be addressed by the staff
after the game.  If a parent feels that their child has
been slighted in any way or is not happy for some reason,
please bring this to the attention of the Citiparks staff
and the issue will be dealt with accordingly.

Our referees will do their best to keep the game flowing
and work hard to manage the game.  They will call fouls
and they will inevitably miss some fouls.  They also are
human.  Some of these individuals are still in high school
and are still learning and developing as referees.
Mistakes are a part of every game, and a part of life.
We will stick by our referees decisions and do everything
we can to support and encourage their development.

As league coordinators, we have put a lot of trust
in the individuals chosen to help officiate and teach.
We respect them and we expect the same from the parents 
and players. Any problems should be brought to the
attention of the staff after the game, and these concerns
will be dealt with accordingly.

It's also VERY important to recognize that this is all just
a game. It's a Rec League, and that is all.  This is not the
NBA, and sometimes we all need to step back for a moment and
refocus.  The Brookline Recreation Center provides this
program for the purpose of bringing kids together to play
basketball in a safe, friendly and competitive environment.
That's all it is.  It's just a game, and hopefully we will
all have a little fun.  We will NOT tolerate obstructive
behavior from anyone: parents, players or patrons alike.
We are here to give the kids a chance to play basketball
and have some fun.  There can be NO other way.

SO.......

We ask that everyone be patient with the process and when
its time for the playoffs we will have some good games
to entertain us.

Thanks for your support!

-Milan and Clint