Local basketball players had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Cleveland Cavaliers on the floor during games one and two of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Big Leaf Basketball, founded in 2015 by Berkshire’s Matt Janssen, runs leagues and tournaments for local elementary schools across Northeast Ohio.
Janssen met with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was offered the chance to greet players as they ran out of the tunnel and onto the floor; and to stand with them during the national anthem.
“The Cavs are trying to build fans for life,” Janssen said.
Big Leaf has developed a formula where schools can use the games as a fundraising opportunity without having to handle any of organizational burden other than finding volunteers when they host.
Participating host sites made a minimum of $60 an hour per court. Sites with multiple gyms made at least double that per hour.
The 2016-17 season will offer more opportunity, flexibility and most importantly structure. The biggest focus will be on the schedule. With the sudden emergence of opportunity in youth basketball, at times it has become very chaotic for parents and coaches.
Big Leaf will operate as the umbrella.
“The creation of a unified league and sponsoring a tournament series across Northeast Ohio will offer a solution to the scheduling burden,” Janssen said.
The season will kick off Friday November 25th and run through Feb 12th. Teams will compete in a 20 game regular season. Teams will be placed in a division with neighboring schools with similar ability. As the season settles in and they are able to rate teams efficiently, each team will play in two shootouts against teams from contrasting areas with similar ability.
For more information, visit the website bigleafbasketball.com, email Janssen at bigleafbasketball@gmail.com or call him at 440-321-9334.