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Can’t get enough hoops

by Sally J. Taylor
The "shirts" and the "no-shirts" scramble for the ball during Monday's Drop in Basketball sponsored by the Tahoe Truckee Recreation and Parks District\ -- by Doug Slater
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The future of Truckee basketball trotted across the court at the Veterans Hall Gym Monday afternoon.

Monday Drop-in Basketball, sponsored by Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District, gives youngsters a chance to polish their skills in a fun atmosphere. Students in sixth through eighth grades hit the court from 3:30 to 5 p.m. followed by the third through fifth-grade group from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

‘We do a little bit of practice drills on the court, scrimmage, different contests,” said Angelo Tenorio, the youth sports coordinator with the recreation department. “We make basketball fun.”



About 10 to 15 students show up for each group plus a few adult volunteer coaches.

Mike Vincent stood court side with the younger group on Monday. He’s coached third- and fourth-graders before and was there with his daughter, Bailey.



“This is great for the kids. It gives them something to do after school, especially when the weather’s bad. When the weather’s good, it’s hard to get them here,” Vincent said in between directions to the kids.

“Come across. Get your hands up,” he said to Bailey, 10, who was rewarded with the ball and a score.

“Angelo’s so good with these guys,” Vincent continued. “He does a good job.”

An hour into the session, the basketball players started slowing down, faces red and hair sweaty.

The students who participate often also take part in youth basketball leagues during the winter, Tenorio said.

“They just can’t get enough of it.”

As the practice came to a close, Tenorio gathered everyone at center court. Hands extended in the middle, they shouted “Team!” with remnants of their energy.

Still walking off the court Jake Baker, 9, shouted to his mother about the basket he made from center court. He then plunged head first into the stream of water in the drinking fountain.

“That was fun!”

For more information about Drop in Basketball and other recreation programs, call the district at 530-582-7720.


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