EPRD shoots for winning youth basketball season

With the winter youth basketball program ready to hit the court, Evergreen Park and Recreation District Athletics Director Pat Shea wants to remind all parents of third- to eighth-grade hoops-dreamers recent improvements will make this year’s schedule a slam-dunk.

"We just want to get the word out that it’s a different program than it used to be," Shea says. "It’s non-competative, like always, but we’ve made a bunch of changes that are going to make it work better for everyone."

For starters, adult-level basketball referees will officiate at every game, and coaches will have access to more rigorous training. In addition, each player gets a numbered jersey of their own and two free instructional clinics. Entry level hoopsters will enjoy free weekly instructional clinics.

To make the sporting life easier on players and their parents, no tournaments will be held on weekends, and the basketball season has been pushed back one week to avoid getting tangled with spring sports. In addition, game times are longer, the rules have been brought more in line with high school basketball, and all games are still held above 7,000 feet.

"The changes combine to provide 27 percent more playing time, better instruction, better officiating and tighter organization," says Shea, adding that, as of Oct. 15, the season costs $135 per child. "To get in at the start, parents need to register now. But they can register any time. We never turn a kid down."

To learn more, call 303-674-6441 or visit www.evergreenrecreation.com