I suppose it’s only logical that profiteers would move to high school basketball, having already compromised professional and collegiate hoops.

That said, the below is a must-read summary for any athletic parent, youth coach, or sports fan:

A jarring look at youth basketball: Part 1 | Part 2

Note: The above story is a review of the eye-opening Play Their Hearts Out by George Dorhrmann.

I’m a volunteer youth leader, which means I chaperon on Tuesday nights and teach Sunday School once a month.

Two weeks ago, a couple of leaders and I took the lads to the rec center to play racquetball. Afterwards, one of the freshman boys riding in my car rolled down the shotgun window to cat call a girl he knew.

“You realize you’re riding in a station wagon,” I told him. “Yeah, that might not be a good idea,” his passenger friend added.

The window was quickly rolled up.

In speaking with a 14 year-old boy at church a few weeks back, this was the reply given when I asked how he was doing:

My mom grounded me because I came home past my curfew last week. It sucks — she took away my PS2 and all my girl jeans.

The grounding and PS2 parts I can relate to. I was a boy not long ago (and still am to an extent). But the confiscated girl jeans as punishment? I just don’t get it, even if that’s what budding hipsters are wearing now.

Blake, I’d like you to meet Behind The Times. Behind The Times, say hello to Blake.