By David Liscio

The Daily Item

Monday, September 22, 2003

Basketball is back in a big way at the Greater Lynn YMCA after a hiatus of more than three years.

A six-week clinic begins Saturday, Oct. 4, and continues nearly to the start of league play in November.

According to YMCA senior program director Donna Nielson, the program is being modeled after the No Books, No Balls program run by the Roxbury YMCA.

"The Roxbury program has been super successful so we're going to try one like it here," she said. "That's great news because we haven't has a basketball program here for two or three years, and even before that it was lackluster."

All basketball league participants must attend the Saturday clinics. The fee for those attending the clinics is $60. For those who intend to play in the league, the total program fee for clinic and team play is $100 and includes a game jersey, an end-of-season banquet and pays for referees.

The program is open to boys and girls ages 7-16. Applications are not being accepted for the 2003-04 season.

League signups begin Nov. 8. Games begin Nov. 22 Each team will be schedules to play 10 games. The games will be played on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Playoffs will follow the regular season scheduled. the league will also have a travel team, its members selected from league participants on a date not yet established.

The league will have three divisions: Pee Wee for ages 7-9, Junior for ages 10-12, and Youth ages 13-16.

"Fundamentals, teamwork and the importance of academics will be the foundation of this exciting new program," said Nielson. "Kids should sign up now before it is too late."

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