Saucon Valley Youth Basketball registration for the 2016-2017 season is now open! Just go to http://www.svyb.org and sign up your child to be a part of the excitement! Whether your son has never touched a basketball or your daughter is the next Diana Taurasi, all skill levels are welcome to come out and be a part of a team.
SVYB is dedicated to developing fundamental basketball skills in boys and girls. In the first and second grade level, coed teams play other Saucon Valley coed teams, playing on eight foot baskets while the coaches let the kids get away with a couple of extra steps on the way to the hoop. Games are played in the elementary school cafeteria and there is something special about watching a kid score their first basket in a game.
On Saturday mornings through the winter, the middle school gym is filled with cheers as the third and fourth grade teams play their games across all three courts. The boys and girls teams play teams from Southern Lehigh and Bethlehem City, as well as each other, with the competition culminating on Super Saturday where a boys and a girls team are crowned champions.
The fifth and sixth grade division is much like the younger division, but games are played in Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem. Again, boys and girls play teams from Southern Lehigh and Bethlehem City with a champion being crowned in February.
For a higher level of competition, there are travel teams in the two older divisions, where they play teams from around the Lehigh Valley. Last year, the boys third and fourth grade travel team won the league’s championship, playing in the high school gym. Tryouts for the travel teams occur towards the end of October.
With a focus on fun, Saucon Valley Youth Basketball is a great way for your kid to learn the game and sharpen their skills. For more information, check out the league web site (http://www.svyb.org) for an FAQ, rules and costs.
Registration closes on Oct. 10, so don’t miss out on one of the most exciting games in town!
Tom Keenan is a writer, blogger and IT professional who lives in Lower Saucon Township. He is vice president of Saucon Valley Youth Basketball.
