Cloverleaf Girls Youth Basketball sign-ups

Cloverleaf Youth Girls Basketball ready to go for 2016-17

By CHS Journalism Staff

The third-annual Cloverleaf Youth Girls Basketball program will begin with sign-ups at the Cloverleaf High School gym Oct. 29.

Players and parents can arrive as early as 8 a.m. to begin the registration process. There will be an open clinic for all players interested in Travel Ball from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., followed by a clinic for all girls in the Little Dribblers or Rec League from 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Cloverleaf High School girls basketball players and coaches, along with parent volunteers, help CYGB players (grades 1-6) with their practices and games from November through January.

“We are finally starting to put together a traditional youth basketball program for our community,” Cloverleaf head girls basketball coach John Carmigiano said. “It keeps building -- and this is a great experience for our whole program. Everyone enjoys working with the youth and helping them to enjoy the sport.”

Carrie Hartsel, a Cloverleaf community member, is in her second year as director of operations for CYGB. She keeps the parents informed and helps with the direction of the program.

“More important than learning the skills, this program builds a love for the game,” Hartsel said.

“The high school players bring an excitement to youth practice and games, and build bonds with our girls. This is the foundation of a successful program, when a youth player says, ‘I want to be just like them in high school,’ ” she added.

“It also has a trickledown effect, leading to a greater sense of school spirit and community involvement,” said Hartsel. “Where many youth sports programs are on the decline in the community, the CYGB has grown the last two years, and I attribute that growth all to our high school program taking the lead. We need more programs to follow their example.”

CYGB welcomes Cloverleaf parent support and assistance to run some of the teams.

“We have some very dedicated parents and we always appreciate any extra help we can get,” Carmigiano said.

CYGB again will offer three affordable programs for girls in grades 1-6, including Little Dribblers ($35), Rec League ($45), and Travel Ball ($75). Players can play in both the Rec League and Travel Ball for the same $75 total.

For the sign-ups, parents are asked to bring the registration form and payment, while the players can come dressed to take part in the clinic. Registration forms can be found by clicking HERE and were distributed to all Cloverleaf youth girls through their schools.

“This is a great opportunity for any girl in our community with an interest in getting to know basketball better,” Carmigiano said. “They get paired up with our Cloverleaf High School players and coaches, and we all work towards creating a love for the game.”

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