craigdailypress.com

The only thing completely official about the Craig Parks and Recreation third- and fourth- grade basketball league is that the boys enjoy their hoops.

"I just like playing the game and having fun," said Rodney Hatfield of the Blizzards. "One day I think we can all go to college and play together."

Tuesday night the Blizzards and their opponents, the Blue team, played in the last game of the night at Sunset Elementary School.

For the Blue team it is was the last game of the season.

"I'll miss playing with my team," said Paul Laliberte. "They were good teammates."

There is no official score kept in the game, but both coaches were keeping track. According to the Blue team's coach, Mike Laliberte, they finished out undefeated and the champion of the league.

"We don't do anything official for third and fourth grade because we focus on everybody participating and having fun," Parks and Rec. Director Dave Pike said. "Fifth and sixth grade we start to keep score."

The having fun part was visible as a fist pump or big smile that was ever present when somebody made a basket Tuesday.

The players also knew a lot about how to play the game.

"You have to remember B.E.E.F when shooting," said Garrette Reece of the Blizzards. "It mean balance, eyes, elbows and follow through."

Laliberte had some more lessons about keeping the ball away from the opponent.

"You put your arm out like this," he said, showing what to do with the arm not dribbling the ball. "That keeps the other team from stealing the ball."

Each team had nine games this year, and a lot of the guys said they hoped that they could still play in school.

"We have the baskets right here in school," Reece said. "So even if the league is over, we can always play."

"Shooting is fun," said Sam Stratman. "It is the most funnest."

David Pressgrove can be reached at 824-7031 or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com