From The World Of Parks & Recreation
By Doug Comer
Basketball is a world-known sport. Whether in the heartlands of the good ole USA or the deserts of Africa, the game has spanned for over 120 years. And, boy has the game evolved. From peach baskets and layups, to the now collapsible metal rims and the slam dunk, the game has brought wonderment to us all.
How did it get started?
Dr. James Naismith, a physical education teacher, introduced students to the game in Springfield, Mass. as a sport which is less prone to injury. The game caught on quickly and later developed through the high school and college ranks, as well as the creation of the NBA in the late 1940s.
The game teaches those who play many things like team-oriented tasks and the development of social skills. There are some basic fundamentals to the game like dribble, pass and shoot. And those three simple skills can grow into an infinite amount of skill levels.
Just like in all sports, there are winners and losers. And that is ok, because it teaches how to combat the losses and grow from it. But, what if you just want to play the game strictly for fun? No winners or losers, but a league where you can learn the fundamentals and later decide on whether you want to take the game any further.
The Harrison County Parks and Recreation provides such a league with our winter basketball league. Open to all elementary school students in kindergarten through 5th grade, the league is more for development as compared to competition. You will learn those three basic skills and then later apply them in non-competitive play.
“The league has been formed to give younger kids a means to develop skills and to exercise during the winter months,” said Director Mike Book. “We have operated the league for years and it is a means to keep kids active during the winter and to expose them to team oriented sports.”
The program’s success is built on the way we look at our league. And Book is happy with the feedback he has received from the families that participate as he explains.
“Our run with this league has been a success because we work with the kids in a positive environment. The skill sets attained through the league comes from the repetitive drills that the instructors give the players. And the overall environment during games and practice has no negative output from coaches or fans. We keep things fun and relaxing through positive re-enforcement.”
Sign-ups begin at 5:30 pm on December 8th and 10th at the Recreation Complex located just passed Rosebud Plaza on route 19 south. There is a $20 fee to cover minor expenses and a check or money order will be collected during the day of registration. If you cannot make those evenings, please email the office at jcann@harrisoncountywv.com and a form will be sent to you to fill out and return with your check or money order. All checks or money orders needs to be made to the Sheriff and Treasurer of Harrison County.
“We sent fliers to every elementary school in Harrison County to distribute to the students. If you did not receive one, please feel free to contact the office and we will send you information on it,” said Book. “Or you can check out our Facebook page for more information.”