MTL Basketball is all about Game Thrills and Life Skills

My 11-year-old son Paul, like so many West Orange middle-schoolers, is into everything.  He does Boy Scouts, guitar lessons, chess club, and several organized sports. People who knew my family growing up tell me that Paul, with his mop of blond hair and boundless energy, reminds them a lot of my younger brother John – and I don’t disagree. 

Baseball and basketball hold Paul’s interest most. He’s shown some promise on the diamond the past two years playing PAL baseball. But he also wanted to step up his game in basketball, so this winter he chose to play in the Mountain Top Boys Middle School League.

The Mountain Top League (MTL) is a volunteer organization that’s served thousands of West Orange children since its founding in 1959. It co-sponsors youth basketball in town with the West Orange Recreation Department. There are two programs. In addition to the Middle School Leagues for boys and girls, there are Elementary School Leagues for 4^th and 5^th Grade boys and girls.

Paul got a late start and came to the very last tryout at Roosevelt Middle School.  While he was going through shooting, passing and dribbling drills, League Trustee Bob Franco entreated my husband Joe to consider coaching, explaining that Paul and all the boys in the league would get greater playing time if they had more coaches to handle smaller-squad teams. Joe had coached Paul’s 3^rd-4^th Grade school team, so despite a very busy schedule, he signed on to lead The Heat.

In mid-November, the league held its draft to form the teams. Coaches made selections based on player evaluations coming from the tryouts, and the order of picks reversed for each round.  (Of course, coaches were assigned their own children.)  Franco explained the intent was to achieve parity throughout the league. 

“By letting coaches participate in the forming of teams, we also have created transparency,” he said.  “This is the fifth year since the reinstatement of the draft, and we’re pleased with the results.  Other sport leagues even have contemplated replicating it.” 

Practice began in early December, and before the first game on Jan. 4, Joe asked me to be the other adult on the bench for his games -- to keep the scoring book as well as keep him in line.  (Though never much of an athlete, I did serve as scorekeeper for my girls high school basketball team.)

The Heat got off to a rocky start.  We lost four of our first five games.  And we weren’t just losing on the scoreboard -- kids seemed to be losing confidence, and even more disturbing, no one was having fun.  Joe tried different player combinations and different offensive strategies – and despite brief flashes of good play -- to no avail.

But, as often happens when players refuse to give up, a moment comes when the team finds a way to turn the corner. 

It came for the Heat in a game where we struggled for almost three quarters without two of our starters.  In the waning moments of the third quarter, however, the boys suddenly appeared on the bench. 

Lacing up his basketball shoes, Andrew looked at the scoreboard, then turned to me and asked, “Are we 18 or are we 6?”  “Six,” I said.  With a determined look, he took to the floor, and with numerous rebounds and blocked shots, helped inspire the team to an 18-point fourth quarter and a 24-20 win.

Currently on a three-game winning streak, the boys now play with greater confidence and are improving with each game, playing with more discipline and intelligence.  Despite a cold virus that has kept key players out of the line-up or sapped their on-court game on some nights, we’ve always had someone step up.

Against a team that beat us previously by 10 points, our starting point guard, Malik, was out sick.  But Ryu, his back-up, played with new-found poise, and Tyrone, one of our big men, also helped at the point.  And with consistently aggressive play by Andrew and Vincent down low, the Heat turned the tables and won this game by 10.

From what I’ve seen so far, this kind of positive experience is being replicated throughout the MTL Middle School Boys League.  Squads are well-matched, and the records are pretty balanced.  I’ve been particularly impressed with the adult leadership.  The all-volunteer coaching staffs make sure every kid gets reasonable playing time, and they seem adept at keeping the boys focused and disciplined, shouting out real-time, helpful instructions rather than berating them.  Officials do a good job, too -- not just in calling infractions, but giving players pointers and always keeping things under control.

Franco credits the success of West Orange youth basketball to the collaboration of MTL trustees and coaches and the outstanding partnership with the West Orange Recreation Department.  “The league succeeds with committed coaches, and the more we can get, the better for our young players,” he explained.  “Coaches are the foundation of the league!”    

The Heat’s in the midst of a 12-day hiatus, getting healthy and ready for the last of the regular season games and league playoffs.  However, MTL games are being played nearly every night of the week this month, and the playoffs start February 22. 

So if you’re in the neighborhood of West Orange High, Edison or Liberty Middle Schools and you see the lights on in the gym, consider stopping by.  You’ll experience some of the best of what the latest generation of our town’s youth athletic leagues have to offer.

And if you can’t make it to a game, you can keep track of what’s happening by going to the MTL’s Facebook page.