SIDNEY, Neb. — For young basketball players across the Nebraska Panhandle, Saturday mornings offer an opportunity to learn the game, compete against their peers and experience the excitement of organized basketball.
That opportunity brought athletes from Cheyenne County, Kimball and Bridgeport to Sidney on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the opening weekend of the Cheyenne County Community Center's youth basketball league.
Third- and fourth-graders competed at The Center, while fifth- and sixth-graders played at West Elementary School. Games ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with three games scheduled each hour across the two facilities.
The league includes 112 Cheyenne County athletes, four from Kimball and seven visiting teams from Bridgeport.
Sports Director Kendyl Wintholz said the league's structure gives children opportunities to develop their skills and experience competition at their own level.
"We can focus on all the kids, their development and their competition instead of one team of ten," Wintholz said. "Every kid gets to feel they get to be competitive and have success."
Age-appropriate adjustments include 9-foot baskets for third- and fourth-grade girls and smaller, 27.5-inch basketballs for boys and girls in those grades.
Behind the games is a community effort involving 14 referees, at least two volunteer coaches per team and parents helping operate scoreboards and keep score.
"I'm super grateful for the scorekeepers," Wintholz said. "People jumped in there. They learned. They volunteered. They did a good job."
Coaches range from longtime volunteers to first-time participants, including individuals without children in the league.
"Seeing everybody come together is super cool to see," Wintholz said.
For Wintholz, the measure of a successful season goes beyond the scoreboard.
"Kids having fun. Good reffing," she said. "Kids can learn while still having fun."
League games continue Saturdays through Dec. 19, with a Thanksgiving break Nov. 28.
