City youth basketball gets underway
Conway's city youth basketball program begins practices today, and the first games of the season are scheduled for Jan. 20.
Conway Parks and Recreation program director Clint Brock said the number of youngsters who have already signed up for the league is between 100 and 130. The city is still enrolling kids, and that number is expected to eventual reach about 150. Parents can enroll their children in the program until the first game of the season. Applications can be filled out at the Conway Sports Center at the Don Owen Complex on Lower Ridge Road.
"Registration is a little down for this time of the year," Brock said. "I don't know if it has something to do with the economy, or if it has to do with the new things we are trying with the Memphis Grizzlies program. We'll just have to see when the final registration numbers come in."
This season the city is in a partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies. The prices for registration were slightly increased for the youth basketball program as a result of the contract. All of the participants in the league will receive a reversible Memphis Grizzlies jersey. Each will also be eligible to attend a camp on Jan. 17, which will be put on by the Grizzlies' coaching staff. Another incentive for participants will be free tickets to watch the defending world champions when they come to Memphis. The Boston Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies play at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on March 21.
"We talk to their officials almost every day," Brock said. "They are very excited about coming to central Arkansas and hosting the camp. They're also looking forward to creating an awareness of the Grizzlies in central Arkansas."
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All of the coaches for the teams are in place, and all practices are scheduled at the Conway Sports Center. Each team will practice twice a week, including once on Saturday. The other practice time is up to the coaches.
"We still have slots available even though practice starts on Saturday," Brock said. "There are about 10 players on each team, but some teams still have about eight. So, any of the new members will be placed on a team with lower numbers. We're excited to get the season started."