We Must Protect This House
NEIRAD enilno edition
There is a new sport sweeping the town of Darien, where no one wins States or FCIACs, but where anyone can gain pride. This sport is house basketball. Unlike all the team sports played in Darien High School, house basketball is just for fun. “There’s no pressure,“ sophomore Kevin Keller said.
House basketball is run by the YMCA, and is open to all kids in Darien, from elementary school through high school. Leagues are broken up by age throughout every one or two grades.
As for games, instead of playing other towns, a student plays other teams that are made up of friends. Sophomore Dan Pidgeon gave a perfect summary, “house basketball is a relaxed, fun experience that keeps kids in shape and is very social with no stress on any players.”
The rules in house basketball are the same as those for school basketball. But the best thing about it is, nobody gets cut and every one gets to play - no benchwarmers. This is a good way for anyone cut from the school team to keep playing basketball, even though the level of intensity of the league may not be that same as that in the school games.
Unlike junior varsity and varsity sports in the high school, House basketball is not rigorous. There is usually one practice and two games each week. “If I can’t make it to a game or practice, I don’t have to worry about being punished because of the laid back style,” sophomore Taiki Miki said.
This year, the popularity of the sport has risen greatly; the waiting list is hundreds of students long. “House is life,” sophomore Ricky Miller said. Walking down the school halls, you can hear the smack talk, “you’re going down” or “wait until house.”
As for myself, I think that this is a great sport because I can have fun playing and still have time to hang out with friends and finish schoolwork at a reasonable time. House is a great chance for students who are not the best at basketball to be able to “ball it up,” Ricky Miller said.
