SLIPPERY ROCK — The wins and losses during the summer mean little to Union boys basketball coach Karen Davis.

She brings her team nearly 100 miles roundtrip to Slippery Rock each summer to play in what she calls one of the toughest offseason leagues in the area.

"We won one game here last year," Davis said. "We're a little Class A school. When we play these teams down here, that's what makes us better."

And that brings a smile to the face of departing Slippery Rock boys basketball coach Sean Strickland.

His intention when he launched the league three years ago was to give area basketball programs a central location to play during the summer.

And to get better.

Strickland has seen the league double in size since its inception.

"We're up to 24 varsity teams and 14 junior high teams," Strickland said. "It's the largest coach-directed league in the state of Pennsylvania."

It's also one of the most successful.

Of the 18 teams that were in the league last year, 14 made the playoffs during the high school season, Strickland said.

"I really think it can get bigger and better," Strickland said.

He won't be there to see it, however. Strickland recently accepted an assistant women's basketball and head women's golf coach position at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio.

Strickland is hopeful that his successor will continue the summer league.

So are its participants.

"I'd hate to see it end," Davis said. "Everyone enjoys being here."

Knoch joined the league for the first time this season and Knights' boys basketball coach Chris Andreassi has already seen the benefits.

With a slew of seniors lost to graduation for last year's team, including starters Rob Briggs, Kyle Reiser and Shawn Samek, work in the summer months take on an added importance.

"This is a very good league," Andreassi said. "There are a lot of District 10 teams here, which I like because they play great basketball in District 10 and there is great competition.

"You have to find your way during the summer months. You have to find your style of play. We can see already we have to do some things a little differently than we did last season."

Knoch plays in one of the most difficult sections in the WPIAL. Playing in the Slippery Rock league is just another way for Andreassi and Knoch to get tested under fire.

"You need to go where you are going to get challenged," Andreassi said. "You need to work in the summer. It's a necessity. The other teams in our section are doing it. You can bet on that."

The 24 teams will play a seven-game schedule during June and July. Teams play 20-minute halves with a running clock except for the final minute of each half.

Farrell won the league during the first season and then went on a playoff run during the high school season.

Slippery Rock won the championship last season and enjoyed its most successful season in year, posting a 15-10 record and taking defending state champion General McLane to the brink in the first round of the District 10 playoffs.

"We have a good league and they get good competition," Strickland said. "I think all coaches will tell you they don't want to be in a game during the summer where you win by 50 points. You want to be in a game where your kids can compete.

"From a selfish standpoint, it has really helped us. We've been in the championship game the last two years, and we've seen firsthand what that can do for a team."

That's why Davis keeps bringing her team back for more.

"We'll play teams we'll never see during the regular season," Davis said. "I tell the kids, 'Don't get too down.' It's not your record at the end of the summer, it's your record at the end of the winter."