Basketball tradition to be part of Alberta Summer Games
First published in the Lethbridge Herald Wednesday, February 5, 2020
If you like playing basketball Lethbridge has many options. Introduction to basketball. Club basketball. School basketball. Outdoor basketball. Summer camp basketball. Wheelchair basketball. Adult basketball. Special Olympics basketball. College basketball. University basketball.
Basketball fans have a lot to look forward to in 2020. The high school zone playoffs, known as the local March Madness, is a must-see event held annually at the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College and other community gymnasiums. Lethbridge Minor Basketball Association hosts the 12th Battle at the Bridge in gymnasiums throughout the city, June 4-5th, 2020.
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s and women’s basketball teams are both within reach of a playoff spot. The Lethbridge College Kodiaks Men’s team just came off a 15-game winning streak while the Women’s team is in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Rising stars from across Alberta will be coming to Lethbridge in July. The 2020 Alberta Summer Games will host male and female U14 basketball competition with teams from eight provincial zones. Zone 1 Sunny South tryouts for boys and girls under 14 as of January 1, 2020 will take place in the spring of 2020.
Lethbridge Minor Basketball Association, run by a volunteer board of directors, provides quality basketball development opportunities in southern Alberta. It offers two programs, JNYB, Junior NBA youth basketball, and Club basketball.
JNYB is designed for boys and girls ages 4 to 12 presenting them their first opportunity to experience basketball. This program covers the development of Fundamental Movement Skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching and basketball-specific skills such as footwork, dribbling, passing, and shooting. This program runs from January to March.
Club basketball season runs from mid-March to mid-June. Players attend tryouts and practice one to two nights per week and attend up to five tournaments throughout the season.
The Southern Alberta Players Basketball League is where minority residents over 17 years of age of Lethbridge and surrounding communities play competitive basketball from March to October. Over the winter months, they offer clinics to children ages 7 to 10.
The Lethbridge Wheelchair Basketball Association offers recreational and competitive programs for players of varying athletic abilities and physical impairments. At a local level, wheelchair basketball teams are inclusive for players without physical impairment.
To find out more about local sport organizations visit www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory
Posted February 5, 2020