Excitement About Vermont League Builds Online
The Mini Basketball League crowned their second championship team Thursday
The scene in Shelburne, Vermont resembled that of a typical neighborhood party. An equal mix of parents and children enjoyed a summer beautiful summer evening in a backyard. Friends used the event as an excuse to catch up with one another and discuss future plans. The onlookers watched a game of three-on-three basketball while enjoying fresh-baked cookies and sodas.
Mini Basketball League
Similar scenes could play out anywhere in Vermont, but this is something unique.
This is the Mini Basketball League.
The locally run fourteen-team league crowned their second ever champion Thursday night at the home of the Morrissey’s in Shelburne. The Kings defeated the Blazers en route to a sweep in the best-of-three series. Recently graduated Rice Memorial High School basketball player Nicky Elderton led the Kings to victory with a lethal combination of athleticism and sharp-shooting. Elderton’s championship team also featured John Valentovic and Pat Colmenero.
Brian McClintock, Connor McCormick and Rob Elderton founded the MBL last year and currently serve as league co-commissioners. The game is first to 31 points and is played on a 30-by-60 foot court with 8½ foot rims built by Dan Morrissey in his family’s backyard. The court is wrapped with plastic hockey boards since the original use of the court was to serve as an outdoor rink. The boards add an original touch as proven by Blazers guard Anthony Spagnolo in the championship game. “Spags” chased down a loose ball and flew over the boards to the awe of the approximately forty spectators.
The MBL is more than just a series of pick-up games. In addition to encouraging fast play and dunking, the commissioners have set league rules that are enforced at each game. Customized NBA replica jerseys for each player are purchased on eBay while videos are uploaded to YouTube and Facebook. However, players do call their own fouls and there is plenty of trashing talking—both online and on Facebook.
Nicky Elderton throws down a dunk in the MBL Finals
While Thursday evening culminated the summer-long season, interest in the league is hardly dying down. In the last month, MBL highlight videos posted to YouTube attracted the interest of numerous mainstream sports blogs along with The Burlington Free Press and the ESPN television show SportsNation. Additionally, ESPN The Magazine will publish an article on the league later in the year. The publicity caused the league’s Facebook page to be inundated with fans from across the country looking to challenge the Vermont players or start a rival league.
After the game, McClintock commented on a few plans for next year with players and the Morrissey’s. McClintock would love to see a second court built in the Burlington area, although the cost could be up to $6000. Existing players will be redistributed among the teams for next season while talented new players may be added. Play this season was exponentially more skilled this season compared to last according to both McClintock and McCormick, and the two are excited for what the next summer holds.
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