They may not be as competitive as high school sports, and they certainly do not draw crowds like the athletic events across the Liberty District do. But make no mistake, house league sports have become an integral part of the culture at Langley.
Local organizations such as McLean Youth Basketball have captured the interest of many Langley students due to their spirited environment. “House league has become intense now that everyone wants to win and have fun at the same time,” said junior Thomas Salamone. “It used to be a joke, but now it’s the real deal.” Unlike other house leagues across the area, McLean Youth Basketball records individual statistics, gives weekly awards, and releases All-League teams at the end of the year. Will Byrne, a junior at Langley, believes this greatly enhances the house league experience. “You can see who is playing the best from week to week because they record every single stat,” he said. “It’s like the NBA.”
While McLean Youth Basketball was the main attraction for house league players during the winter, the spring has ushered in an equally popular house league – Great Falls Lacrosse. Lacrosse is a growing game, especially in this area, and many are interested in playing. This season, the organization saw a record amount of Langley students register to play. According to Great Falls Lacrosse player Matt Shumway, the league offers players like him a chance to show off his skills with his friends. “Obviously we’re not as good as the players who play for Langley, but our team is filled with hilarious guys who are actually pretty talented,” Shumway said. “House league is a perfect fit for us.”
Although no one is expected to play for a house league team rather than their high school team, the aforementioned organizations have become a hot topic of conversation around school. They have given students something they have in common with each other, and it only seems to be growing.