A group of Revere students started their own basketball league to better organize their pick-up games and play at a competitive level.

Fifteen Revere students currently play within the Akron Basketball Association (ABA), a league started by seniors Tanner Stiller and Joe Merklin. Established in the spring of 2013 with games played at West Hill Baptist Church in Akron, the league offers a setting for high school level athletes to play organized basketball without having the commitment of playing for a high school team. Senior David Suchy commented what the ABA provides for him.

“It serves as an outlet for our competitive spirit and an opportunity to spend time with friends,” Suchy said.

Senior Jack Nece discussed the overall purpose behind setting up the ABA.

“It gives an organized system to play pickup basketball. Plus, it gives us a good time to all hang out as a large group,” Nece said.

In regard to the format of the ABA, senior and cofounder Stiller elaborated on the league’s setup.

“There are currently fifteen juniors and seniors [in the league], which creates five teams of three,” Stiller said.
The ABA has both a regular season and a playoff. Suchy discussed this format.

“As of now, [one plays] every team three times and that creates the seeding for the playoffs,” Suchy said.

With hopes of expanding the league beyond the current fifteen participants, Suchy elaborated on how others can get involved and follow the ABA.

“You can get involved by following the @ABAupdates page on Twitter and using the #BOLD,” Suchy said.

Although many ABA athletes will be graduating from high school this year and going to college in the fall, the ABA has made plans to further expand the league and work around the new college schedule. Nece commented on the expansion.

“More teams and more games are in the future for the next ABA season,” Nece said.

Revere ABA participants currently include seniors Brandon Barnett, Joe Merklin, Jack Nece, Bryce Nicholson, Ian Russell, Tanner Stiller and David Suchy and juniors KJ Brzuziewski, Jack Hershfield, Austin Maag, Connor Maag, Kyle Olecki and Mason Whitlam. The ABA will continue its competition throughout the summer, hoping to expand before next year’s competition.