Westfield Cop Starts Basketball League

WESTFIELD, NJ - Officer Matthew O’Holla is looking for a few good, or even not-so-good players, to join the new Westfield PBA Over 30 Basketball League in town.

Currently there are five teams with a full compliment of players but O'Holla said he is looking to add two more at a minimum.

"The planning was very short notice this year as I pulled a league together basically in one months time," O'Holla said. "As of right now we have five full teams and some single players rolling in. We could definitely use about another team or two to make this a little more competitive and fun. However this is the first year and I hope for a bigger and better and more organized next year."

O'Holla said he's played basketball all his life and played as many pickup games and competitions as he could get while he was with the United States Coast Guard. Now one of Westfield's finest with three young boys at home, O'Holla said finding time for a cardio workout was difficult.

"I searched for leagues to join that were my speed, old man leagues. Choices were limited. The more people I ran into during work I learned Westfield has a quiet basketball league or just a bunch of guys who play," he said. "So I decided with the influence from a friend of mine, Patrick Conlon, to throw out the line and see who bites."

The games are scheduled to start at 8 p.m., which O'Holla hopes will encourage people with family to participate.

"I figured the perfect time to do something is right after my kids go to bed around 8 p.m.," he said. "It is an easy time for a family guy to get out of the house and get a work out in at that time. And what better way to get cardio in than basketball?"

All games are scheduled to be played the Edison School and the cost is $155 per person or $1,200 for an eight person team. The current schedule looks like this:

• 4/11- Thursday
• 4/25- Thursday
• 4/26- Friday

• 5/9- Thursday
• 5/13- Monday
• 5/16- Thursday
• 5/23- Thursday
• 5/28- Tuesday
• 5/29- Wednesday

• 6/3- Monday
• 6/6- Thursday
• 6/10- Monday
• 6/13- Thursday
• 6/17- Monday
• 6/20- Thursday

"The first game starts on April 11 with a week break after for spring break and recovery," O'Holla said.

The details of the league:

• Gym opens at 7:45 p.m. for warm up.
• Game 1 will start promptly at 8.
• Games will end at 10 with extra time if needed 10:30 p.m..
• League rules will be released on day 1, 4/11.
• All players, if you did not turn in a copy of your insurance card and drivers license you MUST bring on the day of game 1.
• If these copies are not turned in the individual will not be able to play on that day.

"This year is definitely going to be the learning curve. But the players I have spoken with so far have been nothing but supportive. So with input and guidance from them I'm sure this will be a lot of fun," O'Holla said. "This league is going to be fun and enjoyable for all the parents who just want to have fun and play a little basketball. I hope this takes off this year and gets bigger for years to come."

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