Basketball Developmental League Deadline is Oct. 1st
Local youth interested in developing their basketball skills will now have a new opportunity. The Charlestown Basketball Developmental League (CBDL) is now preparing for their first season. “We wanted to bring something back in town to help develop the kids. It will be like a feeder system starting at a young age to bring along the kids year by year, fundamentally,” stated Kristin Cox, Director of Youth & Family Sports for the City of Charlestown and one of three league coordinators stated.
Another League Coordinator, Pirate varsity head coach Jason Connell is excited about the program.
“It’s about getting the town back to one goal, where we all have the same goal and all are on one page. Honestly, I just went for the State Championship, the goal of just one more game is still eating at me. Getting to the State Championship is a goal of mine,” Connell explained.
Connell and Lady Pirate varsity head coach Michael Prichard, the third League Coordinator, have been instrumental in helping to develop the CBDL.
“Me and Mike are on the same page. We all need to be on the same page. Just look at Brownstown, every program there, they are all on the same page. It’s a community thing,” Connell added.
The common purpose, common goal motto developed during a recent conversation about the league. The league officials want to develop each kid to the best of their ability and allow some of the community pride to develop through the league.
“It needs to happen. I t is very long overdue. It’s kinda like what Jason said. We want all the children to have that opportunity like other communities have without a drop off in certain grades. Every student needs to have that opportunity,” Prichard stated.
The idea for the program to be local will allow for the young athletes to showcase their talents for family and friends without having to drive out of the community.
The CBDL registration is due by October 1. The 2014 basketball season will begin on October 27 with the first practice. The league will be open to boys and girls ages 4 to 12 (the league will welcome participants outside of Charlestown). The season will end December 20.
The 4 and 5 year olds will participate in a Saturday camp for 45 minutes which will include instruction, station work, full court drills and fun games. The 6 to 12 year olds will practice one to two nights a week for one hour and have a game once a week on Saturdays. The game and practices will mostly be held at Charlestown High School in one of the premiere gymnasiums in the state. Some practices will be held at other schools in Charlestown.
The 4 and 5 year olds will participate in five Saturday sessions (November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). Sessions may extend into December if poor weather conditions affect league dates. The 6 to 12 year olds will have five regular season games and a single elimination tournament (November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6).
The CBDL evaluations for all participants will be held on Thursday, October 2 at 6 p.m. at Charlestown High School.
The CBDL cost will be $25 per child for the 4-5 year old division. The 6-12 year old division will be $40 per child. For sibling groups, subtract $5 for each child after the first full payment (ex. first child- $40, second child, $35, third child, $35, etc). The cost includes a t-shirt and basketball for each participant. Payment is due at registration by cash or check. Please make checks payable to City of Charlestown. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM.
The league is in good hands as the coordinators of the league, Cox, Connell and Prichard are excited to bring the league to the community.
Cox, the former Kristin Mattox, is a CHS alumnus and continued her basketball career playing for the University of Louisville Lady Cards. She was inducted into the U of L Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
Connell is preparing for his first season as the head coach for the Pirates basketball program. He spent the last four seasons on the sideline of the Clarksville Generals leading them to two Holiday Tourney titles, two Mid Southern Conference titles, two Sectional titles and a Regional Championship. Connell is a graduate of Mitchell High School where he played basketball.
Prichard is entering his second year as head coach of the Lady Pirates basketball program. Last year he led Charlestown to a 15-8 record including a Holiday Tourney title and Sectional runner-up. He is an alumnus of Charlestown High and played college basketball at Ohio Valley University.
For more information about the Charlestown Basketball Developmental League, including coaches opportunities, please contact Kristin Cox at 812-256-3422, ext. 325 or email at kcox.cityofcharlestown@gmail.com .
