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A new basketball league is getting under way in Bogalusa.
The Bogalusa Youth Basketball League will start in December and registration begins this month.
Ben’s Ford Christian School athletic director Derek Dantin, who is an assistant girls basketball coach at Ben’s Ford and the pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church, is the director of the first-year league.
“Basketball is a passion of mine,” Dantin said. “It’s my favorite sport. I think it’s a great sport for kids. All you need is a basketball and a goal, so the cost is minimal on parents for their kids to improve. We need a youth league on this side of the parish for the kids. I’ve been really encouraged by the excitement from the kids and the parents when they found out we’re going to have a league, so that’s why I’m starting it. We often hear about people that complain about not having opportunities on this side. We’re not complaining, we’re doing it.”
Helping out with the league are Mike Keen, Ken Martin and Landon Tims.
Keen is a fireman, he is on the YMCA Board and is a coach at Annunciation Catholic School.
Martin is a former longtime basketball coach at Bogalusa and served as athletic director for the Lumberjacks.
Tims is the head boys basketball coach at Ben’s Ford Christian School and City Parks and Recreation Director in Bogalusa.
“We’ve got support from many people and we just hope we get support from the parents and businesses to make the league a success,” Dantin said.
All registration and every game will be held at the YMCA in Bogalusa.
“We’re really excited about partnering with YMCA,” Dantin said. “They’re a great organization for our community and to partner with them makes it even more special.”
The league is open for boys and girls ages 4-12. There are three age groups — 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
Signups take place on Saturdays Oct. 12, 26 and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. until noon
Beginning on Monday, Oct. 14, you can register at the YMCA everyday from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m.
Games begin Dec. 7 and take place on Saturdays.
For more information, call Dantin at 985-516-2314.