The longest-running and largest LGBT basketball league in the world kicked off Dec. 3, at Amundsen High School on the North Sideabout a month before its traditional start of the season.
The predominantly male league is in about its 23rd season and this is its second season run by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA).
"The competition level was amazing," in week one, said Mark Sakalares, commissioner of the league. "Of the eight games played, three went into overtime. I actually was surprised that as many teams came out as prepared, as competitive as they did. Usually, the first few weeks [of the season] are kind of sloppy as teams are just getting going, but the level of play really was fantastic, really something to see."
There are 157 players, spread across three divisions: Recreational (seven teams), Intermediate (six) and Competitive (five). In addition, there's a fourth divisionMaster's, for players 40 and olderscheduled to launch in January with four teams.
The 157 players are down from 180 last year, which Sakalares attributed to the economy and the earlier season start.
"We've always been a competitive league; we've always tried to make sure the divisions were balanced well," said Sakalares, 50, who lives in Rogers Park. "The league is a great place to meet new people, stay in touch with old friends and also, of course, play a sport that we all love."
Players this season range in age from 18 to 63, and some players even commute into Chicago from Milwaukee. The league features three women, each playing in the Recreational Division, and about 90 percent of all players are gay, Sakalares said. The season has been expanded from 10 to 12 games, plus playoffs.
The season started earlier than normal to limit conflicts with out-of-town softball tournaments that many participate in and to not conflict with the Coady Roundball Classic, the longest-running and largest LGBT basketball tournament in the world, held annually in mid April.