There was an impressive array of local talent on the Rensselaer High School basketball court June 27.
One on side, there were some of Schenectady’s best players including James Thomas, Rashaun Freeman and, in a guest appearance, Willie Dean.
On the other side, Guilderland’s Steve Dagostino was playing alongside former Christian Brothers Academy stars Josh Duell and Brian Monahan, Scotia-Glenville graduate Zach Bye and Colonie alumn Anthony Bruin.
This wasn’t just some pickup game, though. This was one of three hotly-contested games played that night in the new Capital District Basketball Association’s Raise Your Level Invitational.
The people that stayed to watch the 9 p.m. game received a treat as Dagostino and former College of Saint Rose standout Shea Bromirski led Team Bye or Dye to a 71-64 victory over Thomas, Freeman, Dean and the rest of The Patriots. Dagostino slashed his way through The Patriots for several tough layups, while Bromirski popped long three-pointers that would have made another Section II alumna, Jimmer Fredette, proud.
On paper, we may not be the most talented group, but we are the most together group, said Bye, who captains Team Bye or Die. `We’re the type of team that will make the extra pass and isn’t worried about the box score.`
The CDBA ` and the Raise Your Level Invitational ` is the brainchild of former Schenectady High School basketball player Dave Van Wormer.
`We have some professionals, but most of the guys are college kids,` said Van Wormer, who also organized the Southern Saratoga Adult Basketball League.
The list of area talent extends beyond Team Bye or Die and The Patriots. Among the other standouts participating in the Raise Your Level Invitational are Siena College players OD Anosike and Kyle Downey, Albany Academy graduate Chris Pelcher, Voorheesville grad Ethan Mackey and Saint Rose alumna Evan Lane.
The players said they see this league as a way to maintain their skills for their upcoming seasons and to reunite with their friends.
`It’s great to be reunited with the guys I played with on the 1998 state championship team,` said Thomas, who now plays professionally in Turkey. `I usually don’t do this when I come home for the summer, but it’s a great way to stay in shape.`
`A lot of the guys we used to play against, we now get to play with,` said Dagostino, who recently wrapped up a season in the British Basketball League that included winning the MVP award for leading the Sheffield Sharks to the BBL Cup title.
Convincing the players to participate in a start-up league was a simple process, said Van Wormer.
`The names started circulating, and the guys started talking,` said Van Wormer. `It was a matter of talking to a few key people and getting them talking to other players.`
Bye and Patriots’ team captain Patrick O’Connor said they knew who they wanted on their teams, and it didn’t take them long to get them.
`It wasn’t hard at all,` said O’Connor. `Everybody is from Schenectady, and everybody loves playing basketball at a high level.`
Bye said landing Dagostino was his top priority.
`When I found out he was coming home, he was the first one I called,` said Bye. `I may be the team captain, but we all know Dags is the real leader on this team.`
The good news for area basketball fans is that they can see Dagostino, Thomas and the rest of the CDBA’s players for free. Games continue on Monday and Thursday evenings through July 16, and the playoffs take place July 21, 25 and 29.
Van Wormer said he hopes to make the Raise Your Level Invitational an annual event that could be ` on a smaller scale ` like some of the other major summer basketball leagues in the United States.
`We have our own identity in the Capital District,` said Van Wormer. `We’re not like New York City [with its Rucker Park league], but at the end of the day we have our own identity. Hopefully one day, we can compete with the summer leagues in New York City in attracting talent.
`The reputation is building little by little, and that’s what we want,` he added.“
