ELLERBE — After a lengthy hiatus, the Parks and Recreation basketball league in Ellerbe has made its return.
Amy Keller, who coaches in the league, and Dan Wright, who’s a league official, got together last year and talked about bringing the league back at the request of town residents. Things began to move forward once they got approved to use the gyms at Mineral Springs Elementary and Ellerbe Middle. By the time the league’s registration period was over, back in December, around 70 kids had signed up.
“We’re here to give back. We want the same opportunity for all of our kids that we had,” Keller said. “There are good athletes that come from Ellerbe. And if they don’t have rec ball, they don’t know what they’re doing by the time they get to middle school.”
The league, which has 10 teams throughout three age groups (6-8, 9-10, 11-12), held its second round of games Thursday night. The first two games were held at Mineral Springs, with the last one taking place at the middle school.
The Braves and the Lil Warriors, of the 6-8 league, went head-to-head in the first matchup of the evening. The Dominators and the Warriors, of the 9-10 league, faced off in the second contest. Both games ended in a tie.
When the action moved over to the middle school for the older game, fans were able to watch the Cavs and Da Ballerz battle it out.
“This benefits all of the kids in the community,” Wright explained. “It allows them to participate in extracurricular and physical activity, which reduces the need to do other things that doesn’t help their well-being.”
Earlier this month, the league held a two-day clinic in order to teach the kids the basic rules and skills of basketball. Keller and Wright also put together a few scrimmages so they could get a good idea on how games were going to be played.
“Once we started real games, the atmosphere was ecstatic,” Wright said. “At times, it was overwhelming to think that Ellerbe could put a program together in a small amount of time. I can definitely tell, from the fans’ reaction, that basketball has given the community something else to be excited for.”
Keller says there hasn’t been a recreation basketball league in the town of Ellerbe since she played as a young girl. She believes that bringing it back will gradually build a sense of community that has been long gone.
“It’s important for us to remember that we need to provide these opportunities for our kids and come together as a town. I mean, we lack that everywhere. That’s why this is important,” she said. “It’s all a group effort. If everybody’s not helping, then it’s not going to work. When we can all come together and it actually happens, that means we’ve done something right.”
Games are held for the 6-8 and 9-10 age groups on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mineral Springs at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively. The 11-12 age groups play Mondays and Thursdays at Ellerbe Middle at 7 p.m.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.
