San Diego Hoops, San Diego’s only co-ed recreational basketball league in the GLBT community, has begun after their kick-off draft party and fund-raiser at Pecs on Oct. 29. Coaches drafted team members earlier in the day and teams were announced that evening.

This year, San Diego Hoops’ new home is the Joan Kroc Center, located at 6760 University Ave.

Eight teams will participate in the 2006-07 season with The Welch Group and Beach City Market as new sponsors.

San Diego Hoops was formed in 1999 as a social league to promote unity through sports for the San Diego GLBT community. The league, which has begun its eighth season, consists of all skill levels and has grown from just five teams competing in a 10-week season to eight teams playing an 18-week schedule.

All teams were chosen by coaches using a draft system of registered players. This system was aimed to create balanced competition among all teams.

Last season, a much-improved 2200 Club team did the unexpected and handed Morgan Stanley their only loss of the season in a 52-49 win in the league championship game on March 15. They were seeded seventh, second to last, but still managed to pull out three consecutive upsets in the tournament, finishing with a 7-10 overall record.

Morgan Stanley lost in the championship finals for the fourth straight year, finishing the season with the best in the league at 16-1. Despite their only loss in the finals, they are again favored as one of the top teams.

“We will once again be very competitive this year,” Morgan Stanley coach Paul Demke said. “We will be the quickest team in the league and so we will be constantly looking for an up tempo type of game.”

Demke, who enters his eighth year competing in the league, said the move to the Joan Kroc Center will help his team wear down opponents in the second half with their run and gun style of play.

“Our glaring weaknesses will be rebounding and post defensive play. If we can minimize those two areas, we will be able to play with anyone,” he said.

Analyzing his competition, Demke said AAA Mortgage Market and The Welch Group have the size and the quickness to win a championship.

Only two starters – Vinny Adame and Demke – return to the Morgan Stanley team from last season. Other players include Rich Costanzo, David Mata, Brandon Patchett, Eddie Quintero and Rich Stevenson.

Demke, who hopes to win a championship this season, was given the Susan Lucci Award during last season’s banquet.

“Remember, even Susan finally had her day,” he said.

Urban Mo’s coach Sergio Villegas, who has participated in San Diego Hoops for three years, said he feels confident about the upcoming season.

“I believe I have chosen a decent group of guys [and] girls for this season,” he said. “I believe this season is going to be very competitive among all the teams. Each team has a great group of guys and what makes it so good is that everyone gets along so good, which helps with team chemistry.”

Villegas earned the Most Improved Player award last season. Urban Mo’s other players include Craig Ahlston, Brandon Culley, Brian Jackson, Sereeta Jones, Randy Miller and Sean Wherley.

Last season, Colorworks Painting lost a close 48-45 game against Pomegranate to finish in fourth place with a record of 6-11.

Colorworks coach Jose Cruz said he hopes his team can perform just as well this season.

“I expect our team to be in the thick of things,” Cruz said. “We have to make sure not to take any team too lightly. But we have a good team and, as I saw in our first scrimmage, our guys don’t have much fear of the other teams or the abilities of the other players.”

Cruz said he considers Jeff Praught to be the best center in the league. He also said Tom Nagashima is “one of the best shooters the league has ever seen.”

“Together, and with our other enthusiastic players – Martin Cherrier, Andre Lalias, Todd May and Mo Martinez – this team is going to do a lot of damage on the courts,” Cruz said.

Although AAA Mortgage Market finished the regular season in second place last season, they were one of 2200 Club’s upset victims during a 53-36 loss in the playoff quarterfinals. AAA finished with a 10-5 record.

Robert Wiggins returns as AAA’s coach. Other players will include: last season’s league MVP and lead scorer Larry Granville, Darin Adler, Mike Barrow, James McDermott, Brian Robbins and Sam Salazar.

Pecs finished the last season at the bottom of the standings. Coach Rod George hopes the team can improve. Team members include Brett Drake, Chad Hermandorfer, AJ Matthews, Michael Rocklin, Craig Sanders and Mona Valenzuela.

The Welch Group is coached by Rick Saunders, who was named to last season’s All-Star Team at the banquet. He said he hopes his team can peak before the playoffs begin.

“Based on the draft, and exhibition play, I think The Welch Group will be a good team,” Saunders said. “We have Jason Farr at point who is a returning All-star as well as myself.”

Other team members include: Elijah Cate, Angel Hernandez, Julio Montano, Dan Mosher and Chris Powell.

Beach City Market is coached by Chris Battistuz. Other players include: Frank Jakka, Ki Kim, Bryan Leigh, Cherrie Lim, Joseph Martinez and Andrew Mitchell.

Frank Nunez coaches the 2200 Club team this season. Other players include David Batzer, Curt Janka, Leon Mario Marino, Mark Nash, Jodee Page and Ray Robinson.

Games are scheduled to take place each Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. through March with exceptions for holidays. Each game lasts one hour with two games occurring simultaneously.

For more information about SD Hoops, visit their Web site at www.sdhoops.net.