By Dr. Paul Drew
Welcome to the eighth issue of volume three of Swish, a weekly periodical with recaps and photos of Santa Monica YMCA youth basketball games, and other pertinent info such as standings, schedules, announcements, and updates from the program.
In this week’s Swish, we continue with the history of the YMCA. The following is from
HISTORY – 1870s – 1890s
In 1872, the first Railroad YMCA was organized in Cleveland as a partnership between the YMCA and railroad companies to provide wholesome overnight lodging and meeting space for railroad workers.
In San Francisco, YMCAs serving Asians were established in 1875 to serve the large Chinese population there, and a Japanese YMCA was founded in 1917. U.S. Native American Ys started in 1879 with the founding of a YMCA by Thomas Wakeman, a Dakota Indian, in Flandreau, South Dakota.
Camping became a cornerstone of YMCA programming in 1885 when the YMCA started Camp Dudley, America’s first known summer camp program, at Orange Lake, New York. The longest continually operating camp, its aim was to provide children with a positive developmental experience through making new friends, building confidence and growing in self-reliance.
Designed to promote Christian character through fostering speech, sportsmanship and scholastic achievement, the Chapman, Kansas YMCA developed the Hi-Y club for highschool boys in 1889. The service clubs ultimately became the “four fronts” program—Hi-Y, Jr. Hi-Y, Tri Hi-Y and Gra-Y—and served youth of all ages.
Founded in 1889, YMCA World Service raised awareness of and financial support for the powerful work of the global YMCA Movement. Between 2000 and 2010, more than $10 million was raised to fund programs designed to empower youth and adults with the resources to create a better future for themselves and their families.
In the 1890s, YMCA instructor William Morgan thought basketball was too strenuous for businessmen, so he blended elements of basketball, tennis and handball, and called his invention “mintonette.” In 1896, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, the name “volley ball” was first used to describe the back-and-forth manner in which the ball flew over the net. Today, more than 46 million Americans play volleyball.
In December 1891, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, the school’s director, Dr. Luther Gulick, gave physical education teacher James Naismith two weeks to come up with an indoor winter game to challenge a class of future Y directors. Naismith hung peach baskets to the bottom of a second-level running track and taught the men his new game: basketball. Today, basketball is second only to soccer as the most popular sport in the world.
Early YMCAs created a number of programs to make vocational and higher education available to more people, especially working-class Americans. In 1893, large-scale evening classes began at the Boston YMCA, offering liberal arts and vocational courses. By 1950, YMCAs operated 20 colleges in cities across the country, and many of these YMCA-founded schools became freestanding institutions of higher learning.
HISTORY – 1900 – 1950s
In 1903, the YMCA created an “industrial” department to work with railroad workers, miners and lumbermen, and to assist immigrants. Today, YMCAs respond to changing demographics through refugee services, welcome centers, adult education classes and more.
In answer to a YMCA campaign “to teach every man and boy in North America” to swim, George Corsan arrived at the Detroit YMCA in 1909 to teach swimming using radical new methods: group swimming lessons and lessons on land as a confidence builder. In Newark, New Jersey, alone, he taught 800 boys to swim in just four weeks.
In 1910, 25 African American YMCAs were built in 23 cities as a result of a challenge grant program announced by Sears Roebuck founder Julius Rosenwald. The Ys included clean, safe dorm rooms and eating facilities, which were a boon to African American travelers, especially servicemen, in a segregated and discriminatory era.
Swimming classes expanded throughout the century to include families and people with disabilities. In addition to helping youth feel safe around water, swim activities develop kids’ problem-solving abilities and bolster their self-esteem.
Throughout World War I, the YMCA provided morale and welfare services for the military. By war’s end, the YMCA, through the United War Work Council, had operated 1,500 canteens in the United States and France; set up 4,000 YMCA huts for recreation and religious services; and raised more than $235 million—equivalent to $4.3 billion today—for relief work.
In 1926, YMCAs made a commitment to families when the parent-child program Y-Indian Guides began at the St. Louis YMCA. Started by Harold J. Keltner and Joe Friday, a member of the Ojibwe tribe, the program was based on the Native-American family model, and sought to foster the companionship of father and son. The program later expanded to include father-daughter (Y-Indian Princess), mother-son, mother-daughter (Y-Indian Maiden) and parent-preschooler components.
Sponsored by the New York State YMCA, the YMCA Youth & Government program began in Albany in 1936. The program encourages high school students to understand the processes of government and to prepare to participate in it.
During World War II the YMCA, along with five other national voluntary organizations, founded the United Service Organizations for National Defense, today known as the USO.
Also during World War II, YMCA staff worked secretly in U.S. internment camps holding 110,000 Japanese Americans, organizing clubs and activities for the children.
In 1950, YMCA volunteer Joe Sobek invented racquetball in Greenwich, Connecticut, as an alternative to squash and handball. Like previous YMCA inventors, Sobek was not paid for his invention; he bestowed it as a gift to all who play the game today.
From 1956 to 1966, the YMCA Building for Brotherhood campaign raised more than $5.5 million to strengthen the infrastructure of many YMCA national organizations and established a YMCA presence in several countries around the world.
Rookies
Saturday Rookies, Yorkies over Pugs: With both teams needing to win out to win the league championship, this was certain to be a tense game. The first half was all about defense, as we held the Maltese scoreless and Lauren Bryan hit two nice shots to give us a 4-0 lead and a lot of confidence. Ryan Lim hit a free throw at the half to up the lead to 5-0 and that point would loom big later. Lauren, Vitalina Moncher, and Rosalina Storstein were tasked with stopping the offense of the Maltese and all three did a fantastic job. The second half was exciting, as the Maltese hit two buckets in the 3rd quarter to get within 5-4. Vitalina then hit a shot right at the end of the 3rd to get us back up 7-4 going into the 4th. They would hit a shot in the 4th to again close within 1 at 7-6 and it was close shot after close shot for each team until Vitalina would hit again late in the game to allow the Yorkie faithful to exhale in our 9-6 victory. Yorkie Nation now moves on to Championship Weekend with a shot at the title. Submitted by Coach Rick Moncher
Wakefield combined for 4 rebounds in the first half, helping to limit the Doxies second-chance points. The Pugs had their work cut out for them to start the second half as shots were simply not falling. The Doxies went on another run to start the Third, scoring 4 more points. Down 14 points, the Pugs looked to Reyansh Varma to step up and make some plays. He did just that. Starting with a steal at the top of the key, Reyansh dribbled down court, stopped and drilled a 7-foot jumper to break the scoring drought. Minutes later, he found a way to get the ball back, rush down court and score another basket to ignite the crowd and give Pug Nation something to cheer about. Not to be denied, Reyansh picked up a defensive rebound, dribbled the length of the court, fired up another shot the missed, crashed the boards for two offensive rebounds before making his final shot. 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals in an all-around great effort…on his 7th birthday. A nice way to celebrate. Final Score Pugs 6 – Doxies 18. Submitted by Coach Charles Ellinwood
Dr. Paul Drew
Bantams
The Scotties took on the Pinschers in a rematch from earlier this season in which the Scotties dominated that game. This battle was a flip of the switch in which the Pinschers were able to take an early lead and had control throughout the game. Michael Mikhail was his usual self which was being the high scorer and master thief with multiple steals. The Rebounding Ryans(Ryan Drew and Ryan Cohen) controlled the boards. Jenson Montague was solid on defense and contributed to the scoring. Aiden Harvey was the big man in the middle not allowing the Scotties to get to the basket. Dominic Drew did his best imitation of Steph Curry, by not only wearing his number, but also making long shots and leading the team in assists. Coach Karim implemented a sound man to man defensive system that was very effective. Next up, a rematch with the Schnauzers for the “B” tournament championship. Submitted by DocDrew
Beagles versus the Corgies: It was the ultimate showdown between the Corgies and the Beagles in the semi-finals for Bantam. The teams had faced off before and knew it was going to be a hotly contested rematch. Both teams played their hearts out. Players had impressive shots, defense was strong, and the action was fast. Ultimately, the Corgies clinched the the game due to an impressive performance by many players. The highlight of the game was Chase Jenkins scoring his first bucket of the season. The Corgies will go on to face the Spaniels in the Championship game. Go Corgies! Submitted by Coach Caroline Byfield
Minors
In what began as a normal chilly and cloudy Saturday Morning in June ended as a manicurist worst nightmare as fans held on to their leashes as they witnessed a heart thumping dog-eat-dog battle between the Whippets and the Setters. The Whippets were ahead only slightly for much of the game. London Coleman, Jarvis Wakefield, Asher Eng Jace O’Brien and Brenden Eghiari stood out on offense with Chad McNee delivering on rebounds and Cam Pariser, Max Lewis, Munther Elsayed and Jackson Shea-Fisher putting a defensive muzzle on the Setters. However, the Setters tied it up and at one point and even took a slight lead until the end of the 4th quarter when the Whippets ended regulation up by 2. However, with many free throws left to take by both teams, the Setters ended up hitting more of theirs with Owen Roberts making both of his shots at the line to help win the game. Well played Setters…Well played…. Submitted by Craig Pariser
Pointers – Tournament 1 Summary: The Pointers played a very tight game with the Whippets. The teams are very evenly matched. Neither team was able to establish a large lead. We ended regulation in a tie. Each team made 1 free throw after regulation. We played into over-time where we prevailed with a final score of 24-22. This was the most exciting game of the season for us. Olivia Duarte played well and collected many rebounds for us. She was awarded the player of the game honor. Submitted by Coach Elan Mevasse
Whippets v. Pointers: As the presumptive underdogs, the number 4 Whippets set out to lick the number 1 Pointers in round 1 of the Minor’s A tournament. Out of the gate the Pointers took an early 8-0 lead with their extreme height advantage. However, The Whippets refused to say on the porch and in no time managed to make an epic comeback keeping the score tight for most of the game with both teams frequently switching leads. At the end of of regulation and after all free throws were taken, the tied up game went into two minute overtime. By then, fans were seen breathing out of brown paper bags as onlookers preparing for the next game also watched with excitement. When the overtime clock ran out the Pointers won by two points. However, Whippet fans felt playing to the level of a team with the height and record of the Pointers was a great victory in itself. Congratulations to both teams for a hard fighting, well played and exciting game! Submitted by Craig Pariser
Majors
The Boxers defeated the Greyhounds on Sunday. The Greyhounds had the lead early, as the Boxers had trouble breaking their defense. The Boxers improved in the second quarter, with Hunter Esposito-Doi, Aayan Lakhani, and Lukas Greblikas each scoring a basket. Quest Miller led the way with 11 points in the first half, including a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. Dom Kajota had a quiet for half, but came alive after the break, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the second half, starting with a big three-pointer. Quest added another 9 points in the second half, for a game-high 20 points. The Boxers put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, led by Dom at point. Aayan scored two more baskets, for a total of 6 points on the game. Eric Papazian also scored a basket. With this victory, the Boxers advance to the Championship Game next Sunday, a rematch with the Shepherds, the only team to beat the Boxers this season. Submitted by Coach Jonathan Wray
“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you’ll get what you need”. The Mastiffs needed a win, and that is what they got today with a great overall team performance. The game started with both teams exchanging buckets in the opening minutes. Zico Muldoon (6 points and 5 assists) drove into the paint and dropped a nice bounce pass to Nazir Henley to help the Mastiffs take the lead early in the first quarter. This bucket gave Nazir great confidence to go on and play his best game of the season especially on the defensive end of the court. Ari Potamianos (11 points, 10 rebounds) helped extend this lead late in quarter one with some dominant play on the boards and in the paint. Ari who finished the game with a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards, was instrumental in the win. Gordon McLean and Dalton White kept the Dobies close in the first and second quarter with some nice scores, however as the game went on it was the defensive pressure from the Mastiffs that wore the Dobies down. The front court pressure of Rama Karimi (11 points, 3 blocks, 2 assists, 5 steals, 5 rebounds), Cy Backen, Jonathan Shu, and Zico Muldoon led to a lot of turnovers by the Dobies and the mastiffs were able to capitalize on this with some nice scoring from Elliott Wechsler (5 points), Cy (10 points), Armaan Kohli (4 points) and Rama. Mastiffs now move on to play in the B championship game next weekend. Submitted by Coach Conor Muldoon
Sunday Majors, Boxers over Greyhounds: We picked a bad time to play a bad game, as our Greyhounds suffered a tough loss to the Boxers. Our press had success that lead to about a dozen lay-up attempts, but the problem all day was making them. We missed 6-7 wide-open lay-ups and another 3-4 that were certainly makeable. Against a good team like the Boxers, those poor numbers took away any chance at victory. We needed everyone to play well and a few players to have great games, but no Greyhound had a good shooting day and we got out-played in the paint. Evan Daghighian and Timosha Moncher each had 10 points, but neither hit as well as they usually do. Jason Tun, Amir Jahromi, and Shiva McIntosh also hit buckets; with Guy Carter and Oliver Ghiassi working hard down low and on screens. Overall, just one of those games where every loose ball went the other way, relatively easy shots that wouldn’t fall, and rebounds that we didn’t work hard enough for leading to a disappointing loss. Submitted by Coach Rick Moncher
This Week’s Profile
Each week, Swish has a profile of a coach, player, or someone in the program who inspires all of us involved in Santa Monica YMCA basketball.
This week’s profile is the Franklin family. Father Zach has been able to fill in as a coach or assistant on various occasions, and Mother Sarah has filled in as scorekeeper. Teddy is currently tearing it up in the Rookie league, and Miles is a star in the Bantams. Miles was the U7 MVP for the Santa Monica Stars last year in the Culver-Palms YMCA summer league.
DocDrew: What do you enjoy most about playing basketball at the Santa Monica YMCA?
Teddy: it’s fun!
Miles: I enjoy playing basketball because it is fun.
DocDrew: What are your most memorable moments in your basketball career at the Santa Monica YMCA?
Teddy: Making a lot of shots
Miles: When I made my first “and 1”
DocDrew: Who are your favorite players and why?
Teddy: My brother Miles, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
Miles: Giannis because he is really good. Steph Curry because he is good at passing and shooting.
DocDrew: What do you enjoy most about having your children play basketball at the Santa Monica YMCA?
Zach and Sarah: We enjoy meeting people in the community and watching our boys make new friends out on the court. Some of their expressions during games are pretty priceless as well.
Special thanks to the Franklin family for all their contributions to the youth basketball program. They are truly an inspirational family that helps make our program so strong and respected.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
MINOR LEAGUE
SETTERS 26, WHIPPETS 26
ROOKIE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT-CONSOLATION GAME
DOXIES 18, PUGS 4
ROOKIE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS (6-4 POINTS)
CHIHUAHUAS 15, TERRIERS 7
YORKIES 9, MALTESE 6
BANTAM LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS (6-4 POINTS)
SPANIELS 19, SHELTIES 12
CORGIES 18, BEAGLES 11
BANTAM LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS
BASSETS 20, SCHNAUZERS 22 OT
SCOTTIES 6, PINSCHERS 19
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
MAJOR LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS (6-4 POINTS)
SHEPHERDS 31, MALAMUTES 20
BOXERS 44, GREYHOUNDS 30
MAJOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS
DOBIES 31, MASTIFFS 53
DANES 46, AIREDALES 35
MINOR LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS (6-4 POINTS)
POINTERS 24, WHIPPETS 22, OT
LABS 23, AKITAS 27
MINOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT SEMI FINALS
SETTERS 22, WOLFHOUNDS 14
DALMATIONS 42, COLLIES 27
Standings:
Teams are awarded 5 points for a win, 3 points for a tie, 1 point for a loss, 0 points for a forfeit. Tournament games have greater point value. Teams are listed in their place in the standings with W-L-T and team points.
Rookies:
Chihuahuas 6-1-0, 32 points
Yorkies 4-1-2, 28 points *Yorkies and Maltese split two head to head matchups, but Yorkies have better record against 1st place Chihuahuas
Maltese 5-3-0, 28 points *one loss by forfeit
Doxies 3-3-2, 24 points
Terriers 3-4-1, 22 points
Pugs 0-8-0, 8 points
Bantams:
Spaniels 7-1-0, 37 points *League Champions*
Corgies 5-3-0, 29 points
Beagles 4-4-0, 25 points
Shelties 3-4-1, 23 points
Pinschers 3-4-1, 22 points *Pinschers beat Bassets head to head
Bassets 3-4-1, 22 points
Scotties 3-5-0, 20 points
Schnauzers 3-5-0, 20 points
Minors:
Pointers 7-1-0, 37 points
Akitas 6-2-0, 33 points
Labs 6-2-0, 33 points
Whippets 4-2-2, 29 points
Setters 3-4-1, 22 points
Collies 2-6-0, 16 points
Dalmatians 2-6-0, 16 points
Wolfhounds 1-7-0, 12 points
Majors:
Shepherds 7-1-0, 37 points * Shepherds beat Boxers head to head
Boxers 7-1-0, 37 points
Greyhounds 5-3-0, 29 points *Greyhounds beat Malamutes head to head
Malamutes 5-3-0, 29 points
Dobies 3-5-0, 20 points
Danes 3-5-0, 20 points
Airedales 1-7-0, 12 points *Airedales beat Mastiffs head to head
Mastiffs 1-7-0, 12 points
Upcoming schedule
All games are played in the gymnasium of the Santa Monica YMCA
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
BANTAM LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME
10:30 AM Bassets vs Scotties
BANTAM LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
11:40 AM Shelties vs Beagles
ROOKIE LEAGUE
12:50 PM Chihuahuas vs Doxies
2:00 PM Pugs vs Yorkies
MAJOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME
3:10 PM Dobies vs Airedales
MAJOR “A” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
4:20 PM Malamutes vs Greyhounds
MINOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME
5:30 PM Wolfhounds vs Collies
MINOR LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
6:40 PM Whippets vs Labs
SUNDAY, JUNE 9**CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY**
ROOKIE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 3RD PLACE GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
10:30 AM Terriers be Maltese
ROOKIE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (7-5-3 POINTS)
11:40 AM Chihuahuas vs Yorkies
BANTAM LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
12:50 PM Schnauzers vs Pinschers
BANTAM LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (7-5-3 POINTS)
2:00 PM Spaniels vs Corgies
MINOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (6-4-2- POINTS)
3:10 PM Setters vs Dalmatians
MINOR LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (7-5-3 POINTS)
4:20 PM Pointers vs Akitas
MAJOR LEAGUE “B” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (6-4-2 POINTS)
5:30 PM Mastiffs vs Danes
MAJOR LEAGUE “A” TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (7-5-3 POINTS)
6:40 PM Shepherds vs Boxers
END REGULAR SEASON
MONDAY, JUNE 10
4:20 PM WINLESS TEAM VS ALL STARS
TUESDAY, JUNE 11
ROOKIE LAGUE
4:20 PM ROOKIES VS ELDERS
BANTAM LEAGUE
5:30 PM BANTAMS VS ELDERS
Thank you very much,
Dr. Paul Drew, youth basketball coordinator at the Santa Monica YMCA, editor and publisher of Swish
