CarMax Summer League gives 17-and-unders, community, nice shot

Breezes affect jump shots. Rain stops games.

Otherwise, the CarMax Summer Basketball League for 17-and-under boys and girls at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center on Old Brook Road closely resembles in-season hoops. Observers of all ages occupy the bleachers and lawn chairs, or just stand and watch, as some of the area's finest players in high school, middle school and elementary school go at it under the lights in intense games with experienced officials.

"It's a great environment with the fans and the nice courts," said Travis McKie, a 6-6 rising senior at John Marshall High who has committed to Wake Forest. McKie played in this league the past two summers and enjoyed it enough that he is back this year operating clocks and scoreboards mounted on tables between team benches.

The league started three years ago, the result of a partnership involving the CarMax Foundation and the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. CarMax committed $180,000 over three years to fund renovation of the courts and erect bleachers, pay officials and cover other operational costs.

"CarMax did a great thing. This brings the community together," McKie said.

Tom Folliard, the CarMax president and CEO, recognizes the league as "an outlet for young people to [experience] an organized and fun activity throughout the summer."

Girls and boys ages 10-17 participate on 32 teams, with 10 players per team. They compete at no charge and are supplied with jerseys and backpacks. Coaches, some of whom are employees of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, are volunteers.

The league begins annually in late June and runs through early August. Eight games are played each night on two courts, Monday through Thursday, starting at 5:45.

"The first year, we struggled to get 32 teams," said Jimmy Beirne, an athletics specialist for the city. "The second year, we had 32 teams filled quickly. This year, there is a waiting list to get into some groups."

Boys divisions include 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 17-and-under. The girls' division is 17-and-under.

"Some of these kids have never been out of their neighborhoods. This gives them an opportunity to come out of their neighborhoods and play in a safe environment," Beirne said.

That appeals to players such as Marshall-Lee Mundin, a 6-5 rising 10th-grader at John Marshall.

"Everybody gets along out here. We all know each other," he said. "You play in some neighborhoods, guys start playing for money. When they lose, you don't know what's going to happen."

One purpose of the league is to help youngsters learn to compete within a team framework and improve. But more than that is going on, according to Tim Weathers, in his third year as league director, a former player at the University of Richmond, and the JV coach at Douglas Freeman High School.

"No profanity, and when the games are over, everybody shakes hands," said Weathers, 38 and the owner of a commercial cleaning company. "Things can get heated. Things happen. But we teach these kids 'Let's move on.' And they're getting it. They know what we expect. They grow athletically and socially."

Weathers added that coaches are asked to be not only basketball instructors but "big brothers or father figures."

The majority of the players live in the city. Potential players discover the league through flyers distributed at city recreation centers or through word of mouth. Beirne estimates that the nightly crowd size ranges from 80 to 200. There is no admission fee.

"It's a great opportunity to get families out, to get the community out," Weathers said.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .