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| WVWC and Stockert Youth
Center Basketball League Begin 2001-02 Season released: 12/05/01 |
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| West Virginia
Wesleyan College (WVWC) and Stockert Youth Center are preparing to kick
off the third and fourth grade instructional basketball league for the 2001-02
season. The league, made up of nearly 30 student volunteer coaches from
Wesleyan and more than 90 players from eight local elementary schools, will
officially mark the beginning of its fifth season on January 20, 2002. Opening
Day games will be held at Stockert Youth Center beginning at 12:30 p.m.
and continuing until 6 p.m. The community is invited to come to Stockert
to support the players on Opening Day, as well as throughout the remainder
of the season. WVWC Bonner Scholars saw the need for a youth sports program in Upshur County and started the basketball program to fulfill that need. In conjunction with Stockert Youth Center, the program has grown tremendously over the years. The program now consists of 16 teams that meet in Stockert's gymnasium each Sunday to showcase the skills they learned in bi-weekly practices. The 2001-02 season began this week with a coach's training session at Stockert and practices for each team at their respective schools. Local schools that have teams include Intermediate (4 teams), French Creek and Rock Cave (2 teams), Central (2), Tennerton (3), Union (3), Washington District (1), and Hodgesville (1). Wesleyan's Bonner Scholars started the program, but they aren't the only ones who keep it running. This year, eight Bonners and 21 other Wesleyan students are coaching teams. On registration day, 11 members of the WVWC men's basketball team went to Stockert to run the skills assessment drills for the young basketball players. The men's team went to Stockert after their Saturday morning practice to assess the players and to show them some fundamental skills. The focus of the program has evolved over the years from a competition-based recreation league to an instructional program that emphasizes fundamental skill building. The five elements that the coaches base their lessons on include teamwork, good sportsmanship, skill building, leadership, and fun. The season will end in March with a daylong round-robin game to give the players an opportunity to demonstrate the skills that they have learned. Senior Wesleyan Bonner Scholar and league director Charles Phillips said, "The main priority in this league is to make sure that the kids have fun; along with fun, there is a need to make sure that the kids learn a few basketball skills and are able to practice them. This is a very rewarding experience." For more information, contact Stockert Youth Center Director Christy Gaudet at 473-0145. |