Intramural basketball has been around since 2008 and is open to any student in the West Essex region from grades 9-12. The sport opens an opportunity to play the sport of basketball at a competitive level without the stress of an official high school team commitment.

The laid back yet high energy league includes a maximum of 72 players, playing once a week on Friday nights in the middle school gymnasium starting Dec. 8. This year’s league includes a total of nine teams. The middle school gym is open for optional practices once a week, open for any or all teams to participate and work on individual skills. The championship game is set up through a bracket, seeding the teams based on their regular season record.

“The creativity and the controlled freedom is the student’s favorite part. The students get to pick their own teams and they play with no adult coaches getting in the way,” Roseland director of Parks and Recreation Michael Colitti who is in charge of running the league said.

Students of all genders play together in games with two official referees and one adult gym supervisor. Each team is issued uniforms with the team name and color of their choice. Teams are also allowed to have a coach and need at least five players on the court in order for the game to qualify in the bracket.

“It’s relatively low stress. There’s not as much pressure to perform,” senior Alex Franchi said.

“There’s a lot more freedom with how you play,” “Intramural lets you play your game, and not have to worry about the politics of playing for the school.”

Last year, The Overcats, led by captain Mark Lachenauer, took home first place, beating the X-Knights in the championship game.

This season, senior Julia Farese hopes to lead her team, the Layup Magicians, the only all-female team in the league, to victory. “My friends have been doing intramural for the past two seasons, and always seemed to look forward to it every Friday night.

I’m so excited to be a part of the team,” senior Farese said. “I hope to get to get at least three layups in the first game to live up to our team name. I plan to bring home the gold this season.”

Championship winners are awarded customized t-shirts along with having their team name engraved on Perpetual Championship Trophy. “I’m working hard for the IMLC (intramural league championship),” junior Patrick Delehanty said. “It’s all about dedication and improving skill.”