Basketball school teaching more than just hoops

The conversations always seem to end in the same place. According to Eddie Mayrose, founder of the Play On Basketball School, whenever he and his close friends reminisce about how much they loved playing ball while growing up in Bay Ridge, the topic quickly shifts from the games to the players; the guys who became close friends and remain so all these decades later.

“Whether we played on the same teams or not,” recalls Mayrose, who grew up playing CYO hoops and sandlot baseball all over Brooklyn, “you’d think we all played with the same guys.

“I was incredibly fortunate to have great coaches when I was a kid,” said Mayrose, who has been coaching youth sports for more than three decades, “men that held us accountable to our teammates, but always let us know how much they cared about us. They taught us lessons that made us, not just better players, but better people. That example fostered great friendships. ”

Realizing the positive impact these youth sports experiences had on his adult life, Mayrose decided to give something back; launching the Play On Basketball School last spring.

Operating out of Notre Dame Hall on the campus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 545 60th Street,  the school aspires to teach fundamental basketball skills to young players so that they are better prepared to contribute to a team and enjoy the type of rewarding experience that will last much longer than their playing careers.

“Many of my friends were talented enough to play in college; some even professionally,” said Mayrose. “I was certainly not on that level.  But my memories are every bit as rich because we all cherished being part of something bigger than ourselves.  That’s the most important lesson I try to teach.  No player’s love of the game should be determined by the ability to play it.  If, as a coach, you’ve raised the aptitude and enjoyment level of every player on the team, you’ve done your job.

“The basic drills we do with the kids are the same ones run by high school and college teams, because fundamentals don’t know age,” he added. “They’re universal, and the earlier the kids learn them, the better. That and positive reinforcement go a long way.”

That idea was pivotal in coming up with a name for the school.

“I’ve coached for a long time, ” Mayrose said. “It wasn’t long before I realized that you can’t let young players dwell on a mistake, if for no other reason than, since they’re just learning, mistakes are going to happen all the time. They have to forget it and just play on.”

Play On’s first students have flourished under the school’s philosophy.

“My oldest loves basketball, but had a very hard time playing through mistakes,” related Pat McAvoy, whose two sons attend the school. “Then Eddie made him realize that, at 11, he’s supposed to make mistakes. He’s a much better player now, not only because the instruction he gets is excellent, but because he’s also having a lot of fun.”

The Play On School operates on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00. For information on how to register boys and girls ages eight to 14, call the school at 917-626-5019 or email playonbasketball@gmail.com.

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