Youth League Brings Hoops to Hoboken

The NBA might be in a lockout, but every weekday at 3 p.m. Hoboken's youth are entertaining crowds at Church Square Park during the fourth annual summer basketball program.

This year more than 150 teenagers joined two leagues, with six teams each, for ages 13-15 and 16-18. The teams, sponsored by local business and community leaders, are color-coded to represent real NBA franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

Patch was there to see the action on Thursday, as the Suns, sponsored by Adventures in Learning, played the Magic representing the law firm of LoPiano Kenny & Stinson in the 13-15 league, and the Room 84 Spurs battled the Atlantic Environmental Solutions sponsored Lakers in the 16-18 league.

According to founder , the basketball league started in 2008 with the help of Housing Authority director Carmelo Garcia and Police Athletic League director Robert Gohde to give Hoboken's youth a positive activity to do during the summer.

“We want to keep kids off the street,” Acevedo said. He added that during the games the players could develop discipline, teamwork and networking skills.

“I let it be so that the kids can socialize,” he said.

Away from the court this year, at the suggestion of Garcia, the players are also being taught about recycling and other green initiatives.

To maintain the program, volunteers serve as coaches, referees, score-keepers and time-keepers.

“I love coaching,” said volunteer Michael Purvis. “It gives me a chance to give back, in the way that people did for me when I was younger. I want these kids to make something of themselves.”

Purvis, who coached the Magic and the Spurs, encourages his players to maintain their fundamentals, especially on defense. He also takes pleasure in teasing the referees.

“You've got to give me a call, come on, just one,” Purvis begged after a foul call.

The referees call the games according to professional rules, including awarding technical foul shouts and turnovers on traveling and three-second defensive violations.

Players can join the league for free. The program raises money for uniforms and equipment mostly through team sponsorships. Acevedo said that the Housing Authority and the City of Hoboken both contributed grants.

Joe Branco, who sponsors two teams for his bars Room 84 and Scotland Yard, said the basketball league reminds him of his own days playing in basketball.

“I think it's great for the children to have something to look forward to,” he said. “They can compete and check the standings every day to see where they're at.”

The Suns progressed in the standings after defeating the Magic 42-37. Though they lost, brothers Carlos, 15, and Alex Caldero, 13, said they were enjoying their first year in the league.

Isaiah Miles, who at 18 is playing in his third and final summer league, credited the organized games with positioning him to play basketball at the collegiate level. He will attend Bergen County Community College this fall, after which he hopes to transfer to a Division I NCAA school. His top pick is Georgetown.

“It's definitely helped my game,” Miles, a shooting guard said after his Lakers fell to the Spurs 55-52.

Miles also recognized how the summer program benefits all the players.

“It brings the community together and gives kids a chance,” he said.

The Save the Youth summer basketball program will feature an on August 24 at 3pm, and will conclude with a single-game elimination playoff tournament during the first week of September.