Basketball signals revival of youth sports

From left, 7-year-olds Emanuel Bogany, Omarye Edwards, Hunter Tipton and Dylan Cruver-Sims struggle for control of the ball as 6-year-old Malia Wilson looks on in the first youth basketball game of the year on Saturday between the Celtics, in green, and the Nuggets, in blue. Emanuel’s parents are Yulanda and Robert Bogany, 81st Force Support Squadron. Omarye’s mom is Lashawnda Reynolds and Hunter’s mom is Nikole Tipton, both 81st FSS. Dylan’s parents are Brandis Sims, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Jami Sims, assistant coach for the Nuggets, 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron. Malia’s parents are Anna Wilson, 332nd TRS, and Nick Wilson, head coach for the Nuggets, 338th TRS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Basketball signals revival of youth sports

Published Jan. 27, 2010
81st Force Support Squadron

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- About 5½ years ago, Keesler boasted a thriving youth sports program. But when Hurricane Katrina devastated the base and much of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the storm also wiped out Keesler's youth sports program.

"We lost many of our children to downtown youth programs," said Master Sgt. Ramon Santiago, 81st Force Support Squadron force management superintendent.

A year ago, the youth center staff and a core group of volunteers launched an aggressive campaign to revive Keesler's youth sports programs through several free basketball clinics and a summer camp to sharpen basketball skills.

Today, Keesler's youth sports program is back in business with 51 children enrolled in the basketball program, with soccer and baseball on the horizon.

"We put together two age-group divisions," Sergeant Santiago said. "There are four teams in the Itty-Bitty and Tiny Dragons for 5- to 8-year olds -- Bulls, Celtics, Nuggets and Magic -- and three teams in the Junior, Senior and Big Dragons for 9- to 13-year-olds -- Bulls, Celtics, and Nuggets. "

"We've been very fortunate to receive the assistance of many volunteers, in particular our volunteer coaches," he explained. "This wasn't an easy feat -- we were met initially with a lot of pessimism since the programs in the surrounding community offer the same sports for free. Our team answered this easily with a quality program with quality coaches focusing on the fundamentals of the sport and providing balanced game schedules with practices."

For more information, call the youth center, 377-4116.