The Poplar Buff Parks and Recreation Department’s youth basketball season is approaching, and the registration period has opened.
The program is open to all boys and girls in kindergarten through third grade. Those in kindergarten and first grade will play co-ed games, while separate girls and boys games will be held for second and third grade participants.
“Last year, we had probably 300-plus kids altogether,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director Lanny Corcimiglia, noting the popularity of the program.
The cost to register for the league is $20 per child, which includes a team T-shirt.
Parents have until Feb. 4 to register their children to play.
Two fundamental skills camps for players will be held Feb. 12 and 26 at the Poplar Bluff Middle School. Those players in kindergarten and first grades will meet from 9-10:15 a.m. both dates, while second and third graders will meet from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
“At the camps, they can learn the passing, dribbling, shooting, defense, rebounding and some general fundamentals,” explained Corcimiglia.
Games are expected to begin Monday, Feb. 28, and all games will be played at the middle school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The number of games played will depend on the number of players signed up and, consequently, the number of teams, but six to eight games are expected.
“The season should go from Feb. 28 through the month of March,” Corcimiglia said, “but we’ll add additional days if the numbers are up.”
Corcimiglia noted officials are “cognizant of COVID still being around, so there will be hand sanitizers, and masks are encouraged. Plus, the seating will allow for people to space out.”
There will be no season-ending tournament for these age groups, he noted.
A meeting for all coaches will be held Feb. 10 at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. Kindergarten and first grade coaches will meet at 5:30 p.m., while those for second and third grades will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Coaches, Corcimiglia said, will have the opportunity to schedule practices between noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 12 and 26.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department office at 573-686-8645.