Championship Game
August 2, 2012

PITALAND			23 - 19		42
A-BOSS OPTICIANS		13 - 20		33

Scoring:

PITALAND - Sposito Tommy 22 (10, 2-4, 0),
Wheeler Zac 8 (4, 0-0, 0), Schwerin Kevin 6 (3, 0-2, 0),
Walsh Cole 6 (2, 2-2, 0), Walman Ray 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Makhoul George 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Darden Ashlyn 0 (0, 0-0, 0);
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Ragan Mark 9 (4, 1-4, 0),
Russman Kaylee 8 (4, 0-5, 0), Merlina Sarah 6 (0, 0-0, 2),
Russo Eli 4 (2, 0-0, 0), Joyce Justin 4 (2, 0-0, 0),
Kraska Jeffrey 2 (1, 0-0, 0), Mellix Montel 0 (0, 0-0, 0).

Fouls:

PITALAND - Schwerin 4, Wheeler 3, Walsh 2, Sposito 2;
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Russman 4, Merlina 2, Ragan 1, Joyce 1.

Semi-Final Round
July 31, 2012

OLD SCHOOL LANDSCAPING		06 - 15		21
A-BOSS OPTICIANS		17 - 06		23

Scoring:

OLD SCHOOL LANDSCAPING - Richie Hunter (5, 0-0, 1),
Morefield Brenton 4 (2, 0-5, 0), Shulik Richie 2 (1, 0-0, 0),
Khalil Nadine 2 (1, 0-0, 0), Liscio Anthony 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Thompson Connor 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Richie Luke (0, 0-0, 0);
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Russman Kaylee 8 (4, 0-8, 0),
Ragan Mark 5 (2, 1-3, 0), Merlina Sarah 4 (2, 0-0, 0),
Covington Elijah 4 (2, 0-0, 0), Russo Eli 2 (1, 0-0, 0),
Kraska Jeffrey 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Joyce Justin 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Mellix Montel 0 (0. 0-0, 0).

Fouls:

OLD SCHOOL - Shulik 4, Liscio 3, Morefield 3, Richie H 2, Khalil 1,
Thompson 1;
A-BOSS OPTICIANS - Ragan 2, Russman 1, Covington 1, Kraska 1,
Joyce 1.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

CANNON COFFEE			11 - 05		16
PITALAND			10 - 12		22

Scoring:

CANNON COFFEE - Mitchell Matt 11 (5, 1-4, 0),
Ault Nathan 4 (2, 0-2, 0), Roell Nick 1 (0, 1-2, 0),
Clever Alyssabeth 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Bradley Bobby 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Ault Nicholas 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Lau Jacob 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Andrews Tyler 0 (0, 0-0, 0), Christe Zach 0 (0, 0-0, 0);
PITALAND - Sposito Tommy 8 (3, 2-2, 0), Schwerin Kevin 6 (1, 1-4, 1),
Walman Ray 4 (2, 0-0, 0), Walsh Cole 2 (1, 0-2, 0),
Wheeler Zac 2 (1, 0-0, 0), Makhoul George 0 (0, 0-0, 0),
Darden Ashlyn 0 (0, 0-0, 0).

Fouls:

CANNON COFFEE - Ault Nathan 3, Roell 3, Mitchell 1,
Christe 1;
PITALAND - Walsh 4, Wheeler 2, Schwerin 2.

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 forty 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
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.

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