By Devin Anderson-Torrez
Ramparts
Holt HS
1st Place
Division 1 , News Writing
Sports Feature Story
It’s August 6, and students from Holt High School are eagerly waiting in Asher Levendoski’s backyard for the season to tip off.
Asher Thomas’ League is a backyard basketball league for students at Holt and in the area. The league is going into its fifth season and began for friends to be able to play more basketball together.
“We started it so kids could play basketball more than just basketball season, and those who didn’t make the team could play, too,” said junior Asher Levendoski, who made the league with his father, Ted Levendoski, over five years ago.
Ted Levendoski grew up a huge basketball fan, but as a kid, having a court in his backyard was only a dream. Seeing the love Asher had for the sport, he knew he had to make this league happen.
“By the time I had enough money to afford it and a big enough yard, I was in my forties with two kids. But having a son with a love for basketball like me, who had a ton of friends who loved it too, I knew I had to make it happen,” said Ted Levendoski.
The league originally started with athletes from what is now the junior class and some of the senior, and mostly Levendoski’s closest friends, but has since expanded to over 60 people including students from all grades and different schools, from seventh grade to the college level.
The league has become tradition, offering an inviting environment where these players have grown up, building friendships as they went.
“My favorite part of Asher’s League has been playing [basketball] with friends and being chill,” said junior Roman Sarkisov, who is going into his fourth season at Asher Thomas’ League.
Being with friends has been a unanimous highlight of what the league brings to each player.
“Talking with friends… it’s just fun and exiting,” said junior Cameron Maysonet.
This feeling seems to be mutual throughout the league, as all share the opinion that Asher’s League is for hanging with friends and playing basketball.
“I had the chance to meet new friends and play a sport I love at the same time,” said senior Syri Ammon.
Although the league is meant for fun with friends, it doesn’t lack the competitive feeling on court. The way Asher Thomas’ league is set up, there is a regular season followed by a playoff, with a team challenge, 3-point contest, “skillz” challenge, and assist trophy in between.
“Asher’s League is all for fun, but can get a little competitive as the postseason starts. Overall, it’s a fun atmosphere to play,” said sophomore Cameron Turner.
Asher’s League is pay-to-play just like any other sport, but a difference between this league and others is that it has gained sponsors who help fund different aspects of the league. For example, sponsors like Brookside Interior, Tacos E Mas, and Terrance make the jerseys each year.
On top of sponsors, the league also receives an abundance of help from parents.
“We have been very lucky with having sponsors donate to our League. Our kids have never had to buy their own jersey or bring anything to drink… I also have to say that there is absolutely no way this league would run as smoothly as it does without the help I get from the parents,” said Ted Levendoski.
As the league has grown, so have the sponsors, as well as the attention to the league. Ted Levendoski, the main operator of the league, has been able to bring in guest speakers, like Lansing Sexton Varsity Basketball coach and father of Chicago Bulls point guard Denzel Valentine, Carlton Valentine.
“More kids, more sponsors, different sponsors, and we have gotten guest speakers to come out and talk like Carlton Valentine,” said Asher Levendoski.
Valentine has made an appearance and given a speech for the last two years of the league. Asher Thomas’ League has offered an outlet for kids to hangout, play basketball, and be with friends for almost half a decade. Players have grown from middle schoolers to high schoolers and from friends to even closer friends.
With a majority of this league on track to graduate in 2019, this year is the second to last year of what should be the finale. Although there are still big things planned, like a 24 hour three point shootout for charity next year, this league will be something none of the players will forget.
It has brought friends, family, and even the community together.
“My favorite part is being able to be a part of a great group of kid’s lives and watching them grow and mature throughout the years doing something they love. Also, since we have about 60 kids in the League now, a ton of friendships have been formed between families in our community,” said Levendoski.