During the week of January 5, the recreational “rec” basketball league started in Arlington. The women’s league began in early January and will end in mid-March. While the 2025 winter season has just started, the competition is already heating up.

One of the highly competitive teams is the Cheetah Crushers, who are coached by Yuri Sagatov, a player on the team’s father. They have played three games so far and won every single one of them, making the Cheetah Crushers’ record 4-0. Chloe Bauer, a player on the team, believes that a huge part of what makes her enjoy the team is the competition.

“Seeing my friends on opposing teams makes me want to try even harder,” Bauer said.

In the first match of the season, she played against two of her closest friends from school. Even though the Cheetah Crushers ended up winning, everyone was friendly with each other before, during and after the game.

“Throughout the game, my friends and I jokingly talked trash to each other. Going against my friends makes me enjoy it more,” Bauer said.

In the heat of the moment, any sport is aggressive. This added pressure can encourage players to rely more on their teammates, which helps the team’s dynamics and fosters leadership skills. These skills are significant factors in living a successful life as well.

The competition of the league isn’t just in the games, however. The practices also hold many opportunities to compete with your teammates, which in some ways is better. Playing with teammates helps players develop team chemistry, which is a crucial part in winning games.

“The scrimmages during the practices are almost as enjoyable as the games… It’s so satisfying to beat my own teammates,” Bauer said.

The best part about the girls rec basketball league is its ability to encourage friendships. The constant reliance on teamwork that goes on for many seasons and years is a great way to make an amazing group of friends.