New Providence Recreation Youth Basketball had a banner season this winter. With a reputation for great coaching, inclusiveness, and above all, sportsmanship, the well-organized program is amazingly popular for kids who love basketball and want to play with and against their friends.
Both the boys’ 5th & 6th and 7th & 8th leagues enjoyed high enrollments, the most in several years, with eight teams of eight or nine players each. Parent volunteers, along with pairs of young men and women (juniors and seniors) from NP High School, coached the teams at one game and one practice each week.
As the season progressed, the crowds at the boys’ games grew. The teams for the most part seemed evenly matched, resulting in wins by only a few points. The 7th & 8th Boys’ games, held in the NP Middle School gym, allowed for the excitement of the 3-point shot. Games drew classmates, player parents, and also parents of the High School coaches whose team was playing. During the play-offs, the stands were full!
The 7th & 8th boys’ championship, won by the Bulls (sponsored by Five Star Driving School) against the Nets (sponsored by NP PBA Local 132) was an exciting, down-to-the-last-shot, onepoint game. The 5th & 6th boys’ final game also came down to the wire, with Celtics (also sponsored by NP PBA Local 132) beating the Suns (sponsored by Stashluk Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Generators) by just one basket.
While the 5th & 6th and 7th & 8th grade girls’ leagues had a lower enrollment, making three teams in each, there was no lack of enthusiastic competition and skills improvement. The 5th & 6th Sparks (sponsored by Dr. Bob Robinson, Orthodontist) won their play-offs, while the Mercury (sponsored by Inspired Yoga), was the top 7th & 8th team.
NP Recreation also offers an instructional and scrimmage program for 3rd & 4th grade, Fundamentals for 1st & 2nd grade, Open Gym Basketball on Sundays, an annual clinic hosted by the NPHS Basketball coaches and players, and a program for kids with special needs. Committed, knowledgeable referees, scorekeepers, instructors and program coordinators make all of NP Recreation’s programs so successful.
Congratulation to all NP Recreation players on an amazing season! If you are interested in sponsoring a Recreation sports team, please contact Karen Lambert at klambert@newprov.org.
(above) 7th & 8th Game Rebound.
(above) 7th & 8th Mercury coaches.
(above) 7th & 8th Mercury.
(above) 7th & 8th Bulls.
(above) 5th & 6th Sparks.
(above) 5th & 6th Celtics.
