By Ari McCoy ’17 & Thomas Nealon ’17

Throughout the winter months, every Tuesday and Thursday night, students arrive at school, locked in for the weekly battle of wits and competitive fire. Freshmen against sophomores. Juniors versus seniors. Make no mistake, recreational (rec) basketball is more than just a game, as it features some of the most highly anticipated sports games Staples has to offer.

Many students feel that rec basketball at Staples isn’t your typical game of casual basketball, as it is widely considered to be played at a much faster, more aggressive pace. This style of play is both physically and mentally demanding, and the wear-and-tear of the game has been responsible for many injuries.

Brandon Adrian ’18 was injured in a game his sophomore year and was forced to miss the majority of the season. However, as the new season approaches, he feels as inspired as ever. “[Injuries] will never discourage me from playing rec basketball,” he said. “It’s an intense game; people are bound to get hurt.”

While rec is both serious and exhausting, it is also exhilarating. Adrian finds that while many students think that playing with or against your friends can be fun, others use the competition as motivation. Cayne Mandell ’17, a four-year player and veteran of the rec game, cited the rivalry between students as a driving force of the ferocity with which many teams play. “You can really say and do anything you want to make [opponents] mad,” Mandell said, citing the art of “trash talking” can be used as a common way to infuriate opponents and hype up teammates.

In a sport with this level of intensity and strategy, having an upper-tier coach has become vital for the battles between the league’s elite teams. Glenn O’Neill, who has been coaching rec basketball for 11 years, is one of the league’s most highly acclaimed coaches. When asked about his expectations for the upcoming season, O’Neill only had one thing on his mind: “Having a chance to repeat as league champs,” he said.

Although it is clear that the rec basketball environment is both intense and energetic, it is also open to students of all ages and skill sets. It is this unique balance that makes rec so special. “It is the right balance between competitiveness and fun,” O’Neill said. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching so many of the current seniors in various sports throughout the years, and I look forward to enjoying seeing them play for one last season.”