GVBL Double Elimination Playoffs are in Full Swing!

All divisions were in action this past weekend. Nearly all of the games were down to the wire, decided in the final few possessions, with several overtime games. This season the majority of the teams across all divisions have remained equally competitive. What is most obvious of all, is that nearly all of the kids involved have progressed and improved. Once again, hats off to those moms & dads coaching the teams and coordinating the divisions. Job well done! And also a special thanks to the parents that go over and take on the pressurized job helping keep the scoreboard at these playoff games. Not as easy a task as you would think! Thank you all for volunteering.

We are down to the final four in the winner's bracket of the Boys 3/4 division , with games set for next Saturday and Sunday. But not before 3 games in the elimination round on Friday night. In the Boys 5th/6th division Monday night the Cavs and the Celtics battle it out to see who punches their ticket to the finals. There will also be two elimination games this evening. Also on tap for tonight is the Boys 7th/8th Kings versus Spurs. Winner moves on, while the losing team goes home.

On Wednesday night in the Girls 7th/8th division the Mercury plays the Lynx to see who has the right to play the Stars in the championship. In Girls 5th/6th the Fever plays the Mystics with the winner moving on to the finals tonight. And next weekend the Girls 3rd/4th division will have a full slate of games. 

GVBL Shootout - March 4th

Purchase your tickets:

Join us March 4th from 6 - 11PM at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern.

Cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, dinner and open bar until 10PM. Dress code: Wear your favorite team jersey (college or pro) and a casual pair of pants/shoes.

Silent auction, a 50-50 and assorted raffles, GVBL slide show and lots of fun! All this for $80 or $150 per couple!

Interested in VIP tickets for Taylor Swift or the Eagles? Concert tickets, Phillies tickets, rock climbing, restaurant gift cards, Dorney Park passes, Urban Air and Patriot Fun Camps?

The Shootout begins at 7:30PM

Buy your slot in your child's division:

1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th.

Division winners will face each other in the semi- and championship matches. The winner's name will be engraved on the GVBL Shootout trophy!

The entry fee is $10 prior to the event and $20 at the event. Brackets can be viewed via the GVBL app.

From 6-7PM, "Pick Your Opponent" for $5. Once a pair has been picked, neither person can be repicked.

Sign up now and beat the price increase. If a division has sold out online, ask if a "walk-in" slot is available at the event.

Thanks to the generosity of the Desmond Hotel, we have received 5 discounted rooms. Time is running out though - contact basketball@gvco.org ASAP.

TOURNAMENT TEAM NEWS

The Storm completed its regular season this past weekend in ICBA play. On Friday, the team lost to top-ranked HVAA White at Great Valley Middle School. On Sunday, the team hosted Perkiomen Valley in a win-and-in playoff scenario and picked up a 32-23 victory. Lauren Chain hit three 3-pointers and had 13 points. Ava Hall and Kate Weikert also contributed 8 points each. Sophia Kauler was a beast on the boards, picking up plenty of rebounds. Lily Mattison, Sarah Culbertson and Lauren Serpentine also made contributions, specifically on the defensive end. The team now gets a rematch against HVAA White in the first round of the ICBA playoffs sometime in the next week. 

The 29ers finished the ICBA season with a 41-23 win at home against MARA and 46-11 win on the road over Perkiomen Valley. It's getting harder and harder to highlight standout performances as the 29ers are playing as a strong team unit! This week we shout-out Matthew Kasser's five steals against Perk Valley and James McCollum's three full court breakaway layups against MARA. The team enters playoffs as the two seed and is looking forward to putting in the work at practice before playoffs and states!  

The clinics will be hosted by a group of GVBL tournament team coaches. During the basketball clinics, a GVBL tournament teams representative will present to answer questions that parents may have about the program, commitment, scheduling, cost, etc.

Register for the Girls Tournament Clinics

Register for the Boys Tournament Clinics.

The Boys High School League playoffs opened with a full slate of games on Wednesday night. Irish Green - Tropical Travelers started things off with a 62-54 victory over White - United Real Estate Phila behind the scoring of Whit McCallum (18) and Braeden Melia (16). Nate Ricciardi had a game high 30 points for White. Sapphire - Barrow-Hoenstine Insurance, led by Ryan Barrow (30) and Gavin Rhodes (24), outlasted a scrappy Maroon - REMAX-Chuck Barbera squad 74-66 despite a balanced scoring attack spearheaded by Jack Deegan (20), Tom Crouse (13), and Ryan Over (11).

JJ Tripp and Nate Wilner chipped in 14 points apiece to pace Lime to a 53-28 win over a shorthanded Ash Gray - Overbrook team with Nick Pellicciotta (13) and Owen May (11) providing the scoring punch for Ash Gray.

In the evening's nightcap, Charlie Noll (12), John Curran (11), and Dylan Tait (10) led the way as Orange - Season's Pizza edged Royal - GV Pool Service 53-50 despite the efforts of Jimmy Console (15), Pete Schembri (12). and Owen Rankin (10). Boys High School League playoffs resume Wednesday February 22nd at GVMS. 

GVBL JUNIOR HOOPSTERS

Congrats to the Great Valley HS Lady Patriots on a fabulous season. Last night at the GVHS it was a classic David vs Goliath battle between 6A powerhouse North Penn HS, one of the largest high schools in the state, and our GV Lady Patriots squad. North Penn won the back-n-forth, overtime thriller, as North Penn threw in a desperation shot at the buzzer. Special congrats to the core group of seniors who have played together since grade school: Grace Flynn, Taia DiPrinzio, Gia Soutis, Laura Lum, Lauren Fredrick, Mia Maslowski & Charlotte Powell.

Registration for Summer Basketball is slated to open on April 15th. Look for information on GVBL News & Updates.

Students in grades 8th-12th as of Fall 2023 can sign up on the GVBL Student Referee Interest form.

We are looking for adults to referee alongside and mentor student referees. Participate as much as you would like through a weekly online referee sign-up form. Adults interested in reffing should sign up an Adult Referee Interest Form.

We will be in touch with additional details. Any questions can be sent to basketball@gvco.org.

GVCO is looking for a self-motivated individual interested in assisting our organization with its summer 2023 programming. The ideal candidate should have strong interpersonal and organizational skills, be able to work in a team environment, and enjoy working with youth. The candidate should have a background or interest in athletics, an understanding of scheduling, and budgetary/finance capabilities.

For questions, contact internships@gvco.org.

GVCO is looking for several high school juniors or seniors to assist with programming and administrative responsibilities during the 23-24 school year. Hours would be 2 to 5 hours per week between 3pm-5pm Mondays through Fridays. 

GVCO will work with you to create flexible scheduling around academic and extracurricular responsibilities. Compensation is $10 per hour. If interested, please complete the GVCO Internship Form. Application deadline is May 31st. Hiring decisions will be made June 15th.

Registration is open for Spring Crew for students in grades 8-12. Great Valley Crew uses the John S. Trinsey Jr. Memorial Boathouse in Bridgeport. Students must provide their own transportation. Practices are Monday, Wednesday, Friday after school and on Saturdays at Trinsey from 10AM-1PM.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a competitive rowing team and we need your full commitment to all practices and regattas. We need the whole team at every practice to ensure we can get on the water ever day the weather conditions allow. One rower missing practice means an entire boat must stay on-land. 

In April, volunteers will create decorated flower pots for patients at Green Meadows.

A food drive will be held in May for the Frazer People's Pantry. Volunteers will be needed to collect and organize donations.

Caring Hands is a student-led volunteer group that supports the community through various activities. Students in grades 7-12 and their parents can sign up for the Constant Contact Caring Hands News distribution list for the 2022-23 school year. More upcoming event information can be found on Caring Hands News & Updates

Seniors for Seniors: No fee for a person 65 years or older to adopt a senior dog or senior cat (age 8 years and up).

Pets for Vets: No fee for a military veteran to adopt an adult dog or adult cat (age 1 year or older).

Brandywine Valley SPCA: www.bvspca.org/adopt

We carry over 28 Flavors of Ice Cream and Cassatta and Kulfi Slices and Ice Cream cakes everyday.

Order online or by telephone from our menu and it will be ready within 30 minutes.

Without our sponsor support, there would be a financial shortfall for equipment, administration and facilities rental. GVBL would like to thank all those who have stepped up to support GVBL. Please scroll to the bottom of this publication for a complete listing of those who have provided support. If you are familiar with who they are, please reach out to thank them. In addition, as always please try and support these local businesses throughout the year, shopping and doing business right here at home.