HISTORY
In 1971, Dr. Jerry Gardner selected the first team
of girls from Montgomery County, Maryland, to compete in the Potomac Valley AAU tournament. This 12-and-under team
not only won the regional tournament, but also went on to win the nationals-making them the best in the nation!
Five years later, this core of parents and coaches formed the Classics
Girls Basketball organization, to provide
talented female basketball players the opportunity to play on select teams. Since their inception, Classics Basketball
teams have competed successfully at the local, regional and national levels. In 1998-9, some members split off
from Classics Basketball to form the Maryland Flames, a for-profit entity. At that time, Classics Basketball renewed
its 501(c)3 status and has continued as a not-for-profit entity. There are no paid staff and all officers and directors
volunteer their time and receive no direct compensation for their time and efforts except in the form of reimbursements
for purchasing equipment, gear, insurance, uniforms, and other items that support the operation of the club for
its youth members.
In 2005, Classics renamed itself as MDSports
X-TREME Basketball as part of an affiliation
with the Maryland Sports Association (MDSports). The affiliation did not pan out and in March, 2006, Classics Basketball resumed operations under its original name. Also in 2006, Classics
Basketball added Boys AAU Basketball teams to its program.
In 2008, Club President, Andrew Stadnik was awarded the Potomac Valley AAU District Volunteer of the Year Award
for his support of the Potoamc Valley AAU Girls and Boys Basketball programs.
Other select girls basketball organizations have
come and gone and some are in it for goals other than those focused on the youth members, but Classics Basketball will
continue to provide young athletes in and around the Potomac Valley AAU District with quality coaching and top-level
competition to enhance their basketball skills for middle school, high school, college and beyond with its focus
on its youth members.