Eckville Jr/Sr. High held an intrasquad game that encapsulated the growth of female basketball in the Town of Eckville.
The game, held between the school’s two junior girls teams mixed together for competitive balance, finished with a score of 41-18 in a game that Athletic Director Cody Magneson said was the “most fun I’ve had watching a game all season.”
The amount of girls playing basketball in Eckville between the elementary school is the most it has ever been, which Magneson credits to the development of the Mini-Ball program at the elementary school which introduces fundamental basketball skills to girls grade four to six.
“This is by far the most girls we’ve had wanting to play basketball throughout the whole program,” Magneson said. “Having a strong senior girls program leading the way makes the younger girls want to get better. They serve as heroes for the young girls and are people they can go to.”
The junior teams at Eckville Jr./Sr. High teach essential basketball skills that leads to winning senior programs.
“We are getting strong numbers out,” Magneson said. “It’s all about skills, learning the basics and getting them out playing and having fun. These girls have played since grade four, so they have a good base.”
Magneson also noticed the affect the intrasquad game had on the rest of the school.
“It was two talented and hard-working teams,” he said. “It raises school spirit and everyone knows that these girls will be the next leaders in the school.”
Magneson added that he would like to thank all the community support the program has received and also the volunteer moms that are currently coaching the junior teams.
reporter@eckvilleecho.com