Summer basketball championships this week

Summer basketball at Ungerman Field has been a staple in Sparta for decades.

Right in the heart of town, the courts are always busy with people of all ages getting shots up. On weekday nights during July and August, the courts are taken over by the Sparta Summer League.

For 18 seasons, some of the best basketball players in the area have come together to see who will be crowned champion of Ungerman.

With 10 teams, 100 players and more than 50 games played, the Sparta Summer League has continued this summer as a place for premier basketball.

Started in the early 2000s by Sparta High School alumnus and basketball player Matt McCann, the league’s competitive level was low, with many inexperienced players participating.

Charlie Collver took over and the competition level rose drastically.

Collver, who has not missed a Sparta High School basketball or football game in years, has a passion for the league and has been running it along with the township for 15 years.

“I’m a Spartan at heart. I love the town. My wife and I will never leave here.” he said.

Collver is at the park Monday through Thursday working the scoreboard at every game.

Most days sitting next to him is Justin Kielty, who has been helping with the league for nearly seven seasons.

Being at the park during the summer, Kielty has seen a lot of great basketball played.

“The league has been really consistent and a fun way to get players from all across Sussex County to compete and for new friendships and rivalries,” he said.

The league has gone through some changes over the years.

As many of the original players grew older and started families, Collver realized there needed to be an infusion of youth to the league.

In the summer of 2019, a team of active high school students was allowed to participate for the first time. Since then, more young players have joined.

“The infusion of the league are guys that were stand-out players at least in high school in order to maintain the league quality,” Collver said.

The best-of-three championship series will take place Monday, July 29 through Wednesday, July 31.