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Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy knows of a pulsating "mad house" just off New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.

But McCarthy has no plans of breaking up this youth hangout. In fact he's a regular there during basketball season.

In an intramural youth basketball league at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, youngsters have a place to work on their burgeoning basketball skills while parents work on their social skills. McCarthy says parents often stay long after their child's game has ended, and Scott Keenum, a league official and referee, says the games have become a part of the social fabric in the community.

"Usually, parents drop off their kids and leave. … Here, they stay," said Keenum, a Silver Spring resident whose children have played in the league.

Affectionately called the "Starbucks League" after the game day coffee sold by eighth-grade students from the church's school, the league celebrated its 40th anniversary this month.

There are no calls for traveling or double dribbles in the Starbucks League, which spans from kindergarten to sixth-grade and draws more than 200 boys and girls. Some of the children attend other area parishes including St. John the Evangelist, St. Bernadette, St. Jude, St. Andrew, St. Peter and the Church of the Resurrection.

McCarthy, a St. John the Baptist parishioner who juggles his state's attorney's duties with coaching basketball, has seen the league grow over the years in positions he has taken as a league official and referee. And like the parents who linger after their child's game, he remains involved even though his children are no longer in the league.

"It keeps me involved with the kids," said McCarthy, who has coached on the travel basketball circuit.

As part of the league's Alumni Night in February, former players now playing basketball at public and private high schools returned to their stomping grounds.

The players on the "all-star" roster, which included McCarthy's son Matt, went beyond Montgomery County. Some student-athletes currently play basketball at schools including DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville and St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., while others have taken their hoops game to prep schools in Connecticut and Florida.

While the league has seen its share of success stories, fun consistently dribbles past cutthroat competition. Practices are discouraged and all players are allowed at least one shot. "There's a spot for everyone in this league," McCarthy said.

Scott Keenum's son Christian Keenum, a sophomore at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn., fondly remembers Saturday mornings in the gym at the St. John the Baptist. He would sometimes play in front of 200 people there and would then play against some of the same competition in the Catholic Youth Organization basketball league the same night.

The result has been lasting bonds forged between former league members, Christian said.

"Every Saturday morning it was something to look forward to," said Christian, who plays varsity basketball and tennis at Loomis Chaffee.

Christian said the Starbucks League helped teach him to be a good team player while serving as a mentor for some of his younger teammates – the older league groups in teams in grades 3 through 6. His early education in sportsmanship and team play has also affected the way he views sports – he prefers assists over shooting.

"You definitely see who was raised to be the only player," Christian said.