Youth basketball games scheduled to start Jan. 12

Local fifth and sixth graders who signed up for local youth basketball teams have started practicing in preparation for the first tournament of the season on Jan. 12.

According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, 36 students signed up for the four teams designated for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.

“The teams have already started practicing, so we will not be able to take any late registrations since those kids would already be too far behind,” Chapman said. “There are a total of eight area towns participating over five Saturdays.”

Albany will host the first tournament on Jan. 12, with the last tournament set for Feb. 9.

Admission to the Albany tournament will be $2 for adults and $1 for students to help offset some of the expenses the league incurs.

Teams signed up to participate this year are from Albany, Anson, Hawley, Stamford, Clyde, Jim Ned, Merkel, and Eula.

Leslie Neve is coaching the sixth grade girls this season, along with Clint Chapman and Paul Ivy coaching the fifth grade girls.

On the boys side, John Tom Heatly will coach the fifth graders, while Campbell Terry and Spencer Newsom will coach the sixth graders.

Team and individual photos will be taken of all four teams during the local tournament by the Albany News. Coaches will receive order slips to send home to parents before the tournament.

Teams will play a minimum of two games during each of the five tournaments.