While some elementary students spend their Saturdays sleeping in or watching cartoons, over 120 Tyrone Elementary students spent Saturdays during the past three months participating in the elementary basketball league sponsored by the Boy’s Basketball team.
Students participated at various levels. Kindergarten and first graders took part in an entirely instructional league. For the first half hour, coaches and league director Luke Rhoades led the players in drills focusing on the basic fundamentals of basketball and also developing the importance of teamwork. After the instructional time players would meet at center court and talk about the importance of having fun and enjoying basketball. Before breaking off into their individual teams all the players would break after yelling “team” together, since all these players are part of the Tyrone team. The four teams would then play four six minute quarters. No score was kept but the crowds cheered loud when a player would score a basket. As the league progressed the improvement of each player’s basic skills was evident.
The fourth – sixth grade league ended the weekend of February 18 with the Orange team taking home top honors. The team was coached by varsity basketball players Byron Kost and Leonard Wilson. Several others also volunteered their time to make all the leagues a huge success. Stevie Catich and Brandon Gehret spent their Saturdays keeping score or refereeing and Wade Branstetter coached a 4th-6th grade team with parent volunteer Ron Beck who gave his thoughts on the effectiveness of the league, “I am grateful to the School District, Luke Rhoades, George Gripp, and the Tyrone Basketball team for their participation in this program. One of the many positive aspects of our town is the passion we have for youth activities. The youth of Tyrone have missed this activity since the closing of the YMCA. I hope to see it continue to grow in years to come.” Ron continued, “This was a great first step in rebuilding our youth basketball program. Players of all ability levels were given an opportunity to come out and have fun, build skills, and get a little exercise.”
The championship game was as exciting as many of the regular season games. The Orange team defeated the Red team, coached by parent volunteer James Oliver, by a score of 25-23. Brandon Gripp was the leading scorer for the Orange team and Richard Crabtree led the Red team. Coach Leonard Wilson said he, “enjoyed the attitudes of the kids and the amount of fun they had.” He also said that having patience was a key ingredient while coaching, “I am used to playing with players who pick up plays faster and know where they are suppose to go.”
The second and third grade playoffs start Saturday February 25. All six 2nd-3rd grades teams will see action on Saturday. The championship game will be held on Sunday at 1:00 in the elementary school gymnasium. On Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the Orange team, coached by Mark Mitchell and Travis Peterman, will play the Green team, coached by Scott Kaltenbaugh. The winner will play the Red team, coached by Kevin Soellner and Hilary McNelis, at 12:10 p.m.. The second game of the day, 11:20 a.m., features the Yellow team, coached by Paul and Michelle Politza, facing the Blue team, coached by Steve Lucas. The winner will play the Black team, coached by Luke Rhoades, at 1 p.m. All these games will be held at the elementary gym and the public is encouraged to attend. These young future stars would enjoy having a packed house as they play their playoff games.
