Summer basketball back in the Valley

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
Sports are making a return to the Mon Valley, and athletes at the high school level will get their chance with the return of summer basketball.
The former J. Budd Grebb Memorial Summer Basketball League has evolved into the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League with all games being played indoors at Marx’s Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth Township.
The boys division of the league is heading into its 13th season, while the girls division is set to begin its eighth.
“It’s sad leaving California and Mechanic Street Park. The borough recreation authority is the reason we as a league exist,” MVI co-owner and league founder Naz Victoria said. “The authority went out of its way to improve the facility down there and was committed to making the league better.
“Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 and the borough’s different aspects of making the park available for full participation, we had to make this decision to make sure the league continued.”
David Marx Jr., vice president of Marx’s Court Time Sports Center, is looking forward to being part of the league.
“We’re really excited to host the league here,” Marx said. “Especially in the aspect of getting our name out there after taking over the facility in September. It’s really going to provide us a chance to host events and do more things going forward.”
The league will be moving forward without former girls division commissioner Melanie Greco. Chad Carroto and Tommy Rodriguez will serve as co-commissioners of the division. Carroto will be coaching the Monessen Florist team, while Rodriguez returns as the head coach of defending champion State Farm.
“The girls division has greatly improved since the first year of its existence, and that’s a testament to the work Melanie has done,” Carroto said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to play a role in expanding the girls division’s reach through the Mon Valley and continue building on to what Melanie has created within the league.”
Victoria echoed those sentiments.
“It’s unfortunate Melanie has stepped down as commissioner of the girls division. She has put her heart and soul into the startup and development of the league for girls,” Victoria said. “No one could replace the job she’s done. Although I feel Tommy Rodriguez and Chad Carroto will be able to build upon the work Melanie has already done.”
Greco said she had already approached Rodriguez last year about being more involved in an administrative and leadership position.
Additionally, she had been in touch with Carroto, brainstorming ways to publicize the league more and get more attention.
The league’s new website is one way to make registration more accessible for those interested in being part of the league this year.
“I knew I had a good blend of experience and new ideas,” Greco added. “With all the changes happening with the league moving and changing the name, I felt it was a great time to change the leadership.
“I think they’re going to do a great job and I think this is going to be a real launching point for the league.”
While she won’t be coaching a team or the commissioner, Greco’s not going away.
“Oh, I’m still going to be around and doing some things. Just not as much as I was before,” she said. “I’m OK with that now and I know the league is in good hands.”
Rodriguez said he’s just happy there will be a league this season.
“I’m super-excited that we were able to work something out with Court Time,” Rodriguez said. “I really hope this increases participation from Mon Valley teams. I think it opens the league up more for players from Elizabeth Forward, South Allegheny, McKeesport, even East Allegheny, maybe even Gateway,” he said. “The biggest thing is it’s a great opportunity for the league to keep growing.”
Dana Zajicek remains the boys division commissioner.
“I think with us down there closer (in Allegheny County) it’s a big advantage to getting a lot of players from down that way,” Zajicek said. “Play is already at a high level and there’s a lot of talent in that area. That’s one advantage of making the move; it’s a lot closer to attract those players to the league.”
For those not familiar with the league’s rules, there are some that make it unique.
Players will have tryouts, those that were not in the league last season will be entered into the player draft. The girls draft will be held June 18 with the boys coaches drafting two days later.
There are six teams per division and 10 players per team, which limits the league to 60 players. Players can be cut, traded or even declare free agency and go into the draft again, but just once during their time in the league. After the third game of the season, there is a supplemental draft in which those players who go undrafted can be selected by a team.
“Look at last year, the league MVP has moved on to play at Cal U,” Victoria said. “All former MVPs and other graduating seniors have gone on to play college basketball. I can really see the talent pool significantly increasing.”
There is a limit of two players max from one high school on a league team. That rule gives players the experience of playing with peers from other local schools. Teams are required to play only man-to-man defense, games are played with 16-minute halves and all officiated by WPIAL/PIAA certified referees.
“Moving to Marx’s Court Time is going to have an unintended benefit in that it’s more accessible to a denser population,” Victoria added. “David Marx Jr. has made it a great opportunity for us to have a league that is no longer weather dependent.
“I really love playing outdoors for a summer league and if the opportunity arises to build an outdoor venue at Marx’s, we’ll return outdoors. Until then, they were gracious enough to use the entire, first-class facility for the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League.”
The league can be found online at mvisbl.com with the ability for registration to be done on the website. The $35 registration fee can be paid at the tryouts or sent via Venmo to @Dave-Marx.