Every winter marks the end of fall sports for many and the beginning of the winter sports season for others. For many Hudson athletes who are not competing in an OHSAA sport during the winter season, they find some activity to keep them in shape. What is that activity you may ask? Saturday Hoops, commonly known as Sat Hoops.
Sat Hoops is a popular winter activity played by many male students during the months of December and January. It is a recreational basketball league run by the HCER that provides a fun and competitive place for ballers to show of their skills in a weekly league.
Sam Galich claims, “It is very competitive. People that are not normally competitive get into it.” Galich, a Sat Hoops player going into his fourth year, explained that while the environment is meant to fun, many players like to get competitive while trying to beat their friends for bragging rights.
Although it is a very competitive environment, it is a main place for many to socialize with their peers through sports.
“Sat hoops is a great place to socialize,” said Galich. “I get to see my teammates every game and play against my other friends. Beating your friends’ team can be very fun too.”
This exact reason is one of the reasons why many enjoy the program so much. It provides a place for students to socialize with the people they have been with for so long.
Senior Jonah Mikolay, a Sat Hoops player who will play in all four years of high school, said, “I think that I will mostly miss playing with and against my friends. I’m sure I can find a pickup league anywhere I go, but it will never be the same as suiting up with the guys I’ve been around for most of my life.”
Fourth year player Parker George said that each year, he most looks forward to playing his favorite sport with the people he enjoys being around. Obviously, the desire to win the league and be the champs is present, but for many, Sat Hoops is a place to socialize and make memories with your classmates before its over.
Saturday Hoops runs from December 2nd to January 28th, providing eight weeks of basketball fun for those interested. Games for both upperclassmen and underclassmen are on Saturdays from noon-4pm and Sundays from 2pm-7pm, but the grade levels are split up to help with teams and obvious age difference.
Captains are selected at the beginning of the year, said George. Those captains then draft teams at a draft later on before the season starts. “There is a draft and the captain’s choose their teams. The captains usually make deals and choose their friends,” said George. Many teams end up with groups of friends together on the same team, making for an even more enjoyable experience, and sometimes a connection needed to make a deep run in the playoffs
The league culminates with a postseason tournament and championship where one team is crowned the champions of the league. Record matters when it comes to seeding in the post season tournament, making every game as important as the rest. Although seeding is important, anyone can lose at anytime during the playoffs. Your seed is irrelevant when every team is trying to avoid playing their last game.
Mikolay states that the best team is one that can work together aggressively. “You need some dawgs. Guys who will dive for loose balls and go all out. You don’t always need the best players but rather ones who will mesh together really well. A sense of camaraderie and most importantly, guys who will play 100% is the best way to go far in the postseason.”
Obviously, making it far in the playoffs is the main goal of the year. For many, that goal falls short, but for the few that are fortunate enough to win, it creates great memories.
“My favorite moment was winning the championship junior year,” said Galich when reflecting on his previous three years. His goal for his senior season is to repeat and go back to back.
Saturday Hoops provides a great competitive atmosphere for those who want to play in a casual, but organized basketball environment. It allows those to showcase their skills at a level that is not too competive, but not too casual. Mikolay said, “I would much rather play in a pickup league with no pressure and all of my friends. Playing for the school team would be a great experience, but it is not for me.” Many feel similarly, which is why Sat Hoops gets so much attention. It is the perfect in-between for the average basketball enthusiast who wants to play some pickup.
With Sat Hoops starting soon, spots are running out. Check out the HCER website to sign up before it is too late and we will see you on the court!
