b'Basketball League Fills Void,Builds CommunitySOMA Hoops draws local youth to the courtBY ESME KRAISLeague founder and com-missioner Taylor Valentine inspires team spirit among the fifth grade girls division.O n any Saturday duringeighth grade and grew to about 700 kids from firstAs someone who grew up playing basketball thewinter,SouthOr- to 10th grade in its second year. As SOMA Hoopsand has coached numerous teams, Valentine knew angeMiddleSchoolsapproaches its third year, the goal is to serve 1,000how much fun the game could be. But it wasnt gymisfilledwithplayers out of the 7,200 students in the district. until 20 years after he stopped coaching, when his thesoundsofsneak- Although Maplewood and South Orange had erssqueakingontherecreational leagues for other sports, for basket-wood floor, basketballsball,therewereclinicsandclassesandtravel bouncing as kids dribble them on the court andteams. There was not a recreational level league, fans cheering when athletes make good plays.says Matt Gray, director of recreation and cultural Since 2023, SOMA Hoops has given youth aaffairs for South Orange. place to play recreational basketball in a fun, non- In a town that doesnt have an ice rink, in a competitive environment. town that doesnt have an indoor poolthere The energy is palpable. The positivity is unbe- was a void for sports in the winter, says Valentine.lievable, says Taylor Valentine, the founder andAs kids get older, sports become more com-director of SOMA Hoops. Hopefully, you see apetitive,oftenpushingoutthosewhoareless lot of high fives. skilled. Valentine says, It shouldnt be up and out SOMA Hoops runs on this energy and enthu- in youth sports. It should be play as long as you siasm, which is why kids keep coming back. In itswant, because this is a game you can play as longA sea of girls in red SOMA Hoops jerseys cheer on the Columbia High School Varsity Girls team during Spirit first year, the group had 340 kids from second toas you want.Night.30/ matters magazine / school 2025'