VIENNA — The Vienna Elementary MVP Superstars, both boys and girls teams, took over the gym in Iberia last week, their tiny sneakers squeaking across the polished hardwood as the youngest members of the town’s basketball family learned the ropes of the game.

At six, seven and eight years old, dribbling was more of a suggestion than a skill, traveling calls were non-existent with one being called all game and layups often ended in fits of giggles, but for these kids, the scoreboard mattered far less than the smiles on their faces.

Boys head coach Brett Phillips focused on teaching the basics.

“I Just try to teach fundamentals and make sure everybody gets to play,” Phillips said. “I also want to make sure these kids learn how to play and enjoy the sport. These kids haven’t had an organized team before, and they’re just getting out there, having fun, and getting better.”

Phillips, who spent 30 years coaching and teaching, largely in cross country and track, said his short stint coaching high school basketball gave him plenty of perspective on youth sports.

“You try to teach fundamentals, and make sure everybody has fun,” he said.

The tournament was also a special moment for the Schwartze family. Holden Schwartze, a point guard on the MVP Superstars, is just seven, but basketball runs deep in his family. His older brother Weston, a middle school player, watched from the stands with pride.

“It’s fun watching him play (Holden) and proud of him making shots that I can’t,” Weston Schwartze said. “I think he’ll be better than me and my older brother Hunter.”

Hunter Schwartze, a junior on the Vienna High School basketball team, recently placed third at the state cross country meet earning All-State honors, showing that running talent clearly runs in the family no matter the age.

Even Holden Schwartze had a candid quote after the game on his own assessment of his performance,

“If I could run faster, I could have played better,” Holden Schwartze said.

Phillips reflected on what it means to see generations of kids playing in Vienna.

“Small communities offer more opportunities for kids,” Phillips said. “It’s kind of cool to see that lineage: Hunter on varsity, Weston in middle school and now Holden here.”

By the end of the game, the scoreboard read Vienna: seven points, give or take a couple, Iberia: 40 points, give or take a couple, no stats were taken at the game per The Advocate’s knowledge. Nevertheless, in the end, the score was almost irrelevant. What mattered most were the high-fives after each basket, the squeals of excitement when the ball bounced just right, and the way each child ran back on defense with determination that made every stumble and fall worth it. For Phillips, and for families like the Schwartzes, the MVP Superstars are exactly what youth sports should be: a place to learn, laugh and fall in love with the game.

Meanwhile, across the gym, the girls’ elementary team was also in action at the Iberia tournament. Head Coach and Senior Aubrey Schwartze (no relation to the above family), who is also the captain of the VHS girls basketball team this year, is volunteering for her second year at the helm because coaching the younger players gives her a new perspective on the game.

“I fell in love with the sport around their age, so I like being able to use what I know and what I’ve learned to help them learn it sooner,” she said. “It’s fun to see them develop as players and understand things I don’t know.”

Aubrey Schwartze said coaching the youngest athletes has also deepened her understanding of referees and the rules of the game.

“It’s one thing to know the game. It’s another thing to be able to explain it and teach it to kids,” Schwartze said. “Them asking me questions on things helps…I also have a very, very deep understanding of officials and referees now, because I know how hard that is.”

The girls’ team, like the boys, focused on fundamentals and teamwork showing the same excitement and determination that makes Vienna Elementary’s youth basketball programs a highlight of the school year.