Summer basketball league that brings together players of all ages launches 10th season

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Their ages range from 17 to early 30s. Some have families and full-time jobs while others went to their high school prom this month. The common interest they have is playing basketball in the annual summer league at Idlewild Park in Boone County.

This is the 10th season for the outdoor league that has 18 teams divided into two divisions. Each team has six players to use in four-on-four games they schedule through July. Playoffs will take place in early August before the younger players return to classes in college or high school.

Jaxon Rollins of Union puts up a running jump shot during an Idlewild Basketball League game last summer. (Photo provided)

“It’s competitive, but at the end of the day it’s just a way to have fun during the summer, get some games in and just enjoy the game of basketball,” said Bailey Craddock, 28, a league founder who’s still taking part in the fun.

Craddock played high school basketball at Conner. During the summer, he and his teammates got together for pickup games at Idlewild Park. They decided to start a league to make it more competitive.

“We started out that first summer in 2015 with like eight teams and each year it just grew and grew to include the whole tristate area,” he said. “We’ve had guys who played at the D-II and D-III level (in college) and guys who played overseas (in professional leagues). It’s been a fun ride.”

Before the season started, team managers selected players in a draft. The top three picks this year were all from Cincinnati, followed by Conner graduates Jalen Scott and Dalton Kramer, who are both playing in college.

Two high school players selected were Jamil Rondon and Shaun Pouncy, who were starters on the Cooper High School team that was 9th Region runner-up last season. Pouncy has graduated, but Rondon has one prep season remaining.

“Yamil is one of the younger ones that is still in high school but plays in this men’s league,” said Craddock. “We’ve had other high school upperclassman play in the league over the 10 years … but it is rare.”

Boone County graduate Ethan Haynes drives to the basket during a league game last summer. (Photo provided)

The league doesn’t have a set schedule. Managers set up games when both teams have enough players available. If it rains, the two outdoor courts can become slick and games are postponed for the safety of the players.

The first team to reach a pre-set point total wins a game. There are no officials. If a player calls a foul, he gets the ball back. If a second foul is committed on the same possession, free throws are then awarded.

Both courts also have a 3-point line that entices perimeter shooters.

“The goals out there are double rimmed so you’ve really got to earn every basket for sure,” Craddock said with a chuckle.

Craddock is now a teacher and freshman basketball coach at Conner. As a team manager in the summer league, one of his draft picks this year was Hasan Varence, who played on a professional team in Spain.

“A lot of us in the league have grown up together, but we’ve also made a lot of new friends through it with guys from different high schools and colleges,” Craddock said.

“The social part is what makes it fun. I get to stay connected with a bunch of guys I don’t know if I’d have stayed connected with if it hadn’t been for this league keeping those friendships going.”

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