The Keystone Summer Basketball Games Have Lost Their Way -2008
What started as a great event for basketball in Pennsylvania when the Keystone Summer Basketball Games first started in 1980 has deteriorated into just another AAU Tournament. The new format for the basketball event has changed the original intent of the Keystone Summer Basketball Games. The original idea provided for regional competition and the opportunity for any player to tryout in their respective areas. This no longer exists. Therefore, we will not be covering the event. Examine the facts yourself:
| Comparing the Summer
Games Basketball Only |
Keystone Games,
Pennsylvania Basketball Only |
Empire State Games, New
York Basketball Only |
| How do players qualify | No individual tryouts anymore | Any players can try out across the state |
| How do you enter the event | Only teams are accepted, and they are accepted on a first come basis with the fee paid. | You attend a scheduled tryout-those who are chosen are placed on their regional team. |
| Are their any costs | Entry fee of $400.00 per team | No fees for players or teams |
| Who runs the event | A non-profit organization that pays salaries to those who run the event | The New York State Park and Recreation Dept |
| Is there regional competition | No regional representation anymore! Each age category accepts a certain number of teams, and those who enter first are accepted (you could end up with more teams from one area and no teams from other areas). | The state is divided into regions and each region sends one team per category (each geographical area of the state is guaranteed participation). |
| History | "Approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1980 and uses state funds. They also advertise for private sponsors at $25,000 for a three year period." | "On the 16th of August 1978, 4,500 men and women paraded on the campus of Syracuse University and ignited the torch for the first Empire State Games." |
| Their Website address | http://www.keystonegames.com/ | http://www.empirestategames.org/summer/ |
The bottom line: the basketball games do not mean anything anymore. It's not something representative of the State of Pennsylvania. We still recommend the other Keystone events. But, we will not give any coverage to the basketball event under the present format.