Woodbury Gears Up For 3-on-3 Hoops League

If you’ve got a couple of friends and want to hit the courts, Woodbury has an option for you.

The city is looking to promote its three-on-three basketball league, which begins Jan. 25 and plays games at Crosswinds Arts and Science School Registration is now open and runs through Jan. 13. (Check out the PDF with this story for more information on how to register.)

Patch recently asked Reed A. Smidt, recreation specialist, about the league, which has men’s and women’s divisions.

Woodbury Patch: What can you tell us, generally, about the basketball league?

Reed A. Smidt: This will be the fifth year of the league. The first year was the winter of 2008 and the number of teams has been consistent since the first year, with seven to eight teams competing each season.

Patch: How is the quality of play?

Smidt: The league is open to all players and teams, ages 18 and over. I offer both women’s and men’s leagues. Individual player and team talent levels vary, but the games for the most part are competitive and evenly matched.

Some teams may be more run-and-gun, and then others teams have more finesse and stick to strong shooting and passing fundamentals.

The teams have a variety of player ages, but the average player is 35 years old and we have a few teams with older guys that still play with the best of them. It’s fun to see how the older guys play in comparison to younger teams and how much better the teams are that have been playing together for several years.  

Patch: What are the advantages of three-on-three hoops?

Smidt:Some advantages of three-on-three basketball are the shorter court and game times. The games are played on half the court with two 10 minutes halves without stop time and a five-minute halftime.

Three-on-three makes it easier for teams to find enough players to consider playing. All you need is a couple buddies and you’re set.

Some teams get five or six guys and then they have the freedom to sub more often. It’s a faster game and can be considered more exciting than the full-court, five-on-five basketball league. Many of the players that play in the three-on-three league also play in Woodbury’s five-on-five league as well.

Patch: Is Woodbury a big basketball town?

Smidt: I’m not sure if I would say it’s a big basketball town, but Woodbury definitely has a decent basketball following with all age levels. I only can speak for the adult basketball leagues and I have had good success with teams wanting to play and returning each year.

The teams and players really set the standard for the level of play of adult basketball in Woodbury and I think I offer good leagues for them to test their skills against each other.

Patch: What else can you tell us about the league?

Smidt:The league fee is very reasonable with each team only paying $90/team to play in the league. Every team will play five weeks of doubleheaders with a tournament playoff at the end of the regular season. It’s also a great way for people to get out, be active and have a fun night with their friends.

Registration is currently open and closes on Friday, Jan. 13, or until the league is full, whichever happens first.