Youth basketball league has successful first year
Margo Yates, director of the Marion-Florence Recreation Commission, has had a busy winter.
Yates and the commission have organized a youth basketball league for boys and girls in third through sixth grades.
Thirty different teams with 257 players from nine different school districts have been coming to Marion every Saturday since Dec. 6 to play basketball.
"Definitely new money circulating in town," said Yates, who also is the director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. "There has been a noticeable impact on the retail community."
All of the basketball games were held in the Marion gymnasiums at the elementary and high schools.
"It has been really cool to see the improvement of the skill level of the players over the course of the season," said Yates. "It's been a really good experience for them. They've gained confidence."
Some of the local teams were sponsored by local businesses: Carlsons' Grocery, Jeff Jirak Construction, Marion Manufacturing, Suffield Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Hardware, Tampa State Bank, Webster Auto Service, and Western Graphics.
"I couldn't have done this league without the help of the commission and members of the community," said Yates.
She specifically thanked Terry Edwards who was at the high school gym every Saturday during the games.
"Teams appreciated the presence of personnel at the gyms during the games," said Yates. While Edwards covered the high school gym, Yates covered the elementary gym during the games.
"Jan Helmer helped with the distribution of the shirts and Doug Heerey set up the schedules. They were a tremendous help," added Yates.
Seacat Hardware and Tampa State Bank paid for the shirts that were given to all participants.
Yates also appreciated the dedication of the coaches.
"I can't say enough about the coaches," said Yates. "People don't realize the amount of time coaches spend with the players. They are wonderful examples for the players."
High school and college students were the referees for the games. Yates appreciated their assistance at the games.
"They worked with the players and explained what they were doing wrong. They were a great bunch of young people," said Yates.
The teams that participated were from Marion, Hillsboro, Peabody-Burns, Centre, Canton-Galva, McPherson, Southeast of Saline, Abilene, and Newton.
The fifth and sixth grade tournament is Saturday. The third and fourth grade tournament is Feb. 14. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students.
Yates is optimistic about organizing a league for next year.
"I have some returning and new teams that have already committed for next year," said Yates. "So we'll plan to do it again."
