Morton schools will be hosting a fall basketball league for grades 3-6 for both boys and girls. Each team will be coached by varsity girls’ basketball players, and the games will be refereed by coaches. Varsity players that are not coaching will keep the clock and book. If able, there will be separate teams for girls and boys.
The fee for joining the fall league is $35 per player. This fee will cover team t-shirts and general operating costs. There will be five team practices, eight-12 games, and a tournament with trophies awarded to tournament champions. All players will be awarded a certificate of completion of participation with the league.
Practices will begin mid-September and games will continue through October. A schedule will be released after the start of the school year and a total number of players is tallied.
Payment of fees will not be due until mid-August. Parents may register at the Morton High School office or at mortonfallyouthbasketballleague.eventbrite.com.
The new varsity girls’ basketball coach, Jessica Dickens said, “I wanted to focus on the young children — we need a strong foundation (in basketball).” Dickens said that there are leagues for young children in other sports but there is a lack of opportunity for them to be exposed to basketball and the skills associated with the sport.
Dickens said that she wants the elementary students to have an opportunity to learn the fundamentals, and that if children begin playing basketball earlier, they will be more proficient at the sport when they reach middle and high school.
Dickens is also involved in a Morton Little Dribblers program for boys and girls in grades 1-4. The program teaches elementary children drills which they will perform during half-times for varsity girls’ games.
Dickens said, “Little Dribblers may find some role models (on the varsity teams).” She also hopes that the fall league will give varsity players the opportunity to gain experience as leaders and coaches.
Coach Dickens comes to Morton by way of Ocean Springs. She is originally from Carthage, and she has been coaching for 10 years. She will also begin teaching Social Studies this fall at Morton High School.
