by Jack Link ‘23

A season of OBGC house basketball kicked off on Sunday, December 5, consisting of an eight-league team with a total of 10-12 players per team. Sherwood’s Warren G. Crutchfield Gymnasium has the honor of hosting these games, which provide an opportunity for a number of Sherwood students to participate in the league. Students from Magruder, Good Counsel, and other schools make up a smaller percentage of players in the league.

In order for each team to be formed, a parent or guardian from a member of the team must be actively attending each game. One of these parent volunteers is Tom Mavrikes, and he believes that the basketball league is a chance for teens to get out of their houses and stay active.

“It’s a good opportunity for high schoolers to get back into socialization with people they may not have seen since before the pandemic,” said Mavrikes.

Not only are parents happy and supportive of the league but players are, too. Junior JJ Singleton enthusiastically praises his experiences within the league. “I’ve had a great time playing with all my best friends; the league gives me something to look forward to on the weekends,” Singleton said.

There are specific and strict protocols that are intended to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In an email sent out on December 17, the commissioner of the league, Brad Scott, addressed the mask usage during games.

“In order to continue playing, everyone in the building wears a mask at all times,” stated Scott in the email. Some of his plans to enforce these rules are, “[reaching] out to the ref coordinator and [reminding] him of our policy,” as well as himself “bouncing around between the 6 gyms we use this weekend and expect to have the policy in place and being followed.”

Scott goes on to say that if these rules are not enforced and followed by all players and spectators, the league could potentially get their permits revoked, ending the privilege to play.

Currently, the eight teams have battled it out, and heading into 2022 three teams remained undefeated in a three-way tie between team Andre, Comeau, and Mavrikes, all of which contain a large majority of Sherwood students.

As the season progresses there is likely to be changes in the ranking of each team as the top competitors compete against each other.

Most recently, the league transitioned into a Covid-safe playing environment where games lack spectators and referees to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.