Superior High School senior Ethan Anderson is enjoying his season with the Spartan boys basketball team more than most.
As a junior, Anderson missed the cut in tryouts, but he worked hard to earn his place this year, beginning with a stint in the Friday Night Hoops recreational league.
"He improved a lot since last year," said SHS coach Dave Kontny. "I tell kids, 'I'm never going to give you anything, you're going to have to earn it.' And they know that."
From his first day in the Friday Night Hoops League last season, Anderson knew he wanted to try out again for the SHS varsity team in his senior year. Anderson used his time in the rec league to stay in shape and work on his basketball skills.
When tryouts were held for the varsity team this season, Anderson learned he wouldn't be playing in the Friday Night league anymore.
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"I'd say never give up. You've always got a second chance if you're a junior or sophomore," Anderson said. "If you just put in the time and effort Coach (Kontny) will notice, and hopefully you can fit in on the team."
Rick Rockwood, one of the founders of the rec league, joked that the Friday Night Hoops teams could someday act as a farm system for the SHS varsity teams. Indeed, Anderson has developed into a strong perimeter shooter for the Spartans and gave Superior much-needed depth late in the season when a players were out with injuries.
But as rewarding as it is to see a former rec league player find success, Rockwood said the league's priority remains "providing a great Friday night place to hang and play."
The league holds games Friday nights at the University of Wisconsin-Superior from January to mid-March. High school students from both Minnesota and Wisconsin play in the league, with multiple teams coming from Duluth. Superior students make up most of the Wisconsin teams, but Northwestern High School also has fielded a team of its own in recent years.
Anderson, despite his new role with the Spartans, can still be found at UWS most Friday nights.
"There's still tons of fans showing up to the games," Anderson said. "Mostly all my friends are playing, so I go and support them.
"I actually coach my old team. It's still fun. It's a fun league to be in."
Anderson's teammates named themselves the "High Fliers" last year, but for 2011 the group of SHS students decided to change their moniker to "The Main Event."
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Heading into the playoffs the Main Event was one of only two teams with a single loss in the regular season.
The rec leagues playoff series began Wednesday, with four girls teams and 16 boys teams in two divisions competing.
The boys B championship game will be held at 6 p.m. today, followed by the girls game at 7 p.m. Tournament play then wraps up with the boys A championship game at 8 p.m.
Dynasty, made up of players from Northwestern, is one of the teams scheduled to play in the boys A championship game.
