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For the coaches and players of Germantown Hardknocks Basketball, the sport is more than just a game — it's a chance to see the world, get a college education and learn about discipline, hard work and respect.

Formed three years ago by Rockville resident Lloyd Hall with his cousin Bruce Massey, 39, of Damascus, the youth basketball league has grown into a local athletic powerhouse that churns out good citizens as well as gifted players. Former players return to coach and encourage players to stay on the right track, and parents must abide by good sportsmanship rules.

"Here's a guy who built a program from scratch," said coach Everette Hammond of Germantown, whose 9-year-old son plays in the league. "This is not just about basketball, it's about life skills, and he's done a phenomenal job."

The league grew from a single team to six and is open to youths ages 9-17. In addition to team practices, there is a new skills academy to help players learn the basics and improve their game.

"It's almost like a 24-hour thing because my doors are always open for the parents to call," said Hall, 36, who has three children and got his start helping with his son's basketball team. "Me myself, I never had a father figure, and maybe if I had that, I wouldn't have had made some mistakes," Hall, nicknamed Coach Shaft after his mother's fondness for actor Richard Roundtree, said at a skills clinic in the gymnasium at the Inter-Denominational Church of God in Gaithersburg. "I feel blessed to be here for them."

The league boasts six adult coaches and six youth coaches. Players must follow the rules in the league — pay attention, stay focused, treat others with respect and participate in all drills — as well as get good grades, said Hall, who does refuse collection for the city of Rockville.

"Shaft doesn't believe in cutting anyone," Hammond said with a laugh.

In addition to creating a positive environment for youths, the league has become a formidable force on the court. The 15 and under group took second place at the National Youth Basketball of America tournament this summer in Orlando. Two players were named to the all-tournament team.

"It was a fun experience playing with kids older than us. It made us better," said Derek Pagella, 12, of Germantown.

The team financed the trip with car washes and candy sales, and when their bus broke down in Florida, parents pooled money to fly the players home.

"He's done so much for so many of these kids," Loretta Simpson of Germantown said of Hall. Her 17-year-old son DJ is a former player and current coach, and daughter Taylor, 13, had to sit out last year after breaking her ankle playing basketball at school.

"If one of them has a problem at school, their parents will call and he'll go over and help out," Simpson said. "…It takes a whole community."

For more information about Germantown Hardknocks Basketball, visit www.leagueline

up.com/hardknocksbasketball or e-mail lorenzo33_1@hotmail.

com.