Youth basketball to start Jan. 11

By Donnie A. Lucas

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. 11.

According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, 37 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 as many as eight teams competing in some divisions of the league that includes other rural towns surrounding Abilene. In addition to Albany, teams are included from Jim Ned (-Tuscola), Clyde, Eula, Hawley, Stamford, and Merkel. Some divisions include two teams from the same town.

Albany will host the first tournament on Saturday, Jan. 11, with the last tournament set for Feb. 8.

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

Loree Lee is coaching the fifth grade girls team this season, which will compete in an eight-team division. On the boys side, Morgan Smith will coach the fifth grade boys in a five-team league.

Clint Chapman will head up the sixth grade girls who are competing in a seven-team bracket, while John Tom Heatly has the sixth grade boys in an eight-team league.

Team and individual photos will be taken of all four teams by the Albany News during the local tournament. 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 tournaments.