YMCA launches youth basketball

AUBURN - Auburn-Lewiston YMCA is set to begin its 42nd year of youth basketball. The YMCA Co-ed Youth Basketball League serves Auburn, Lewiston and the surrounding communities by affording boys and girls in grades 2 through 6 an opportunity to involve themselves in an organized basketball program.

The YMCA's Youth Basketball League is designed to instruct the basic fundamentals of basketball and to develop individual skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting within a team atmosphere. The youth basketball league is divided into two divisions: Pee Wee and Junior. Each division will conduct a "draft," which will evaluate individual talent levels in order to provide the best possible scenario for equal play among teams.

Pee Wee Division is for boys and girls in grades 2-4. The Pee Wee draft will be held on Saturday Oct. 31 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Edward Little High School. Pee Wee teams hold practice once a week, and games are played Saturday afternoons at the YMCA. The season begins Saturday, Nov. 7 and comes to a close Feb. 13, 2010.

Junior Division is for boys and girls in grades 5-6. The Junior draft will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Edward Little High School. Junior teams hold practice once a week and games are played at the YMCA on Saturday mornings. The regular season begins Saturday, Nov. 7 and ends Feb. 13, 2010.

Players in the YMCA League will also be eligible to try out for travel teams involved in the Central Maine Basketball League and Western Maine Basketball League. More information on travel teams will become available on draft day.

When asked about the YMCA Youth Basketball program, former Edward Little High School Basketball player and William J. Hood Volunteer of the Year Corey Therriault said, "As far as the program goes, I have always loved the YMCA because of the atmosphere it provides. I think the kids are surrounded by good coaches and good people all around. I would say the biggest benefit of the program is having a good time in a great environment for kids. All of the kids that I have been around at the Y are good kids, and they are a reflection upon the people who are at the Y."

The Youth Basketball Program emphasizes the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The focus of the program is to have each child gain an understanding of the game, improve skill level, learn team play, build self-esteem, show good sportsmanship and most of all have fun.

All those who register by Oct. 30 will be placed on a team, so join today. You may register at the Y front desk. Cost is $35 for a member and $75 for a nonmember. New this season, members may register online for the program.

As a volunteer organization, the Y needs coaches, program assistants and officials. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Josh LaPrell at jlaprell@alymca.org. For more program information, stop by the YMCA at 62 Turner St., call the front desk at 795-4095, or visit owww.alymca.org.

Lewiston Rec offers co-ed youth hoop

LEWISTON - Lewiston Recreation Department will be offering a 2009-10 co-ed winter basketball league for boys and girls in grades 1 through 10 from mid-November 2009 to March 2010.

In order to participate, player evaluation, round robin, draft and trades are mandatory. In addition, high school varsity players and JV who suit up for varsity are not eligible to participate in the league's Senior Division. Also, volunteers for the roles of coach, assistant coach, timekeeper, and scorekeeper would be greatly appreciated.

Micros (Grades 1-2) will meet Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Minors (3-4) will meet Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Majors (5-6) gather from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Juniors (7-8) play 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays. Seniors (9-10) will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Times and schedule may change depending on number of players.

The program will include practice once a week, at least 12 regular season games and two weeks of playoffs for all divisions except for Micros & Minors.

Youth may register weekdays at the Recreation Department between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 65 Central Avenue. Cost for a Lewiston resident is $45, which includes a t-shirt. The non-resident fee is $60, also including. For further information, interested parties may contact the Rec Department at 513-3005; TTY/TDD 513-3007.