By Stacy Case
This country’s professional basketball programs have players who have come from all over the globe, but obviously they all had to start on the hardwood at a younger age. And for many local youth hoopsters, in which many of them look up to the current era of basketball greats, they too are offered a chance to take center court and learn the game.In fact, both Coral Springs and Parkland offer recreational basketball programs that have had an impressive following for many years. In his ninth year as Coral Springs Basketball Club’s President, Richie Fraiman says his program’s players learn a myriad of skills.
“We get a lot of satisfaction when we see the kids continually improving after each practice, each game and each season,” says Richie regarding the approximately 40-year-old CSBC. “We are a year-round program and has a great Board of Directors whom I give a lot credit to for how well our league is run.” CSBC, in fact, offers four different seasons of play for both boys and girls from age 6-18, including a men’s 40 and older league as well as a men’s 18 and older division. This winter season wraps up early this month, only to get prepared for Spring play.
Just beyond the Coral Springs city limits, the Parkland Basketball Club has stayed quite busy with its players too. During their solo season of play, Parkland participants compete from December until mid March. Nearly 550 boys and girls from ages 5-18 lace ‘em up for Parkland. And like any traditional recreational sports program, no experience is required for either league. The only request made by the Parkland Basketball Club’s President is for the kids to have fun.
“When they come here to play, it’s something that gives them a great opportunity to be with their friends. Our main purpose is to offer kids another fun activity,” says Kevin Sirop, regarding the several decades old Parkland league. “It’s a chance for them to get some exercise, play basketball and do something that’s not too serious.”While Parkland’s players take to the courts at Terramar and Pine Trails Park, the 400 or so Coral Springs participants get their game on at either the Coral Springs Gymnasium (age 11 and older) or the outside courts at Mullins Park (younger players).
Both leagues have post season play and have a certain amount of required playing time for each participant on every team. In order to assure that each team has a fair balance of talent, each player must undergo evaluations in for the coaches to make their draft choices accordingly. Regardless of how a player performs at tryouts or which team he/she is placed on, they are all offered the same opportunity to have a good time and learn. “Sportsmanship is really on the top of my list; to make sure each player improves in all aspects of the game,” adds Richie. “It’s a game where players need to be unselfish, learn the true fundamentals and try their best each time they’re out there.”
For more info on either league, visit csbchoops.com or parklandbasketball.com
