POMEROY–The local K-7 Youth Basketball program of 110 players have scheduled several home and away games for January and February.

The Pomeroy Youth Basketball has approximately 110 participants in the program this winter. Youth team members in K-2 are primarily doing drills for skills type practices in order to learn the fundamentals of the game. For this age group, there are a few games on lower hoops scheduled.

The 3rd-7th graders will play various tournaments and also participate in the Small School Basketball League. which is made up of Pomeroy, Dayton, Asotin, and small schools in central Idaho. There are currently 39 boys and 36 girls' teams participating in the Small School League. This league was developed to help small school teams compete in basketball against similar competition. Most AAU level teams are hand-picked all-star type teams and small school teams are made up of the boys and girls locally. It is difficult most of the time for these teams to compete at the AAU level.

It is with gratitude we acknowledge the Pomeroy School District for allowing making the gym available to the Youth Basketball program for practices and games.

In addition, to all the volunteer coaches for their time and effort to make this program run, and to the parent and student volunteers helping to handle the gyms, officiate the games, and run score clocks, a well-deserved appreciation. The program can't be done without them.

Pomeroy Youth Basketball info can be found on its Facebook page and the East Washingtonian Community Calendar print and online.

Contributed by Brock Ledgerwood