By Sentinel Staff
The Baranof Ballers youth basketball league is underway, with kids from Pre-K to eighth grade playing.
“They work on some fundamentals, but the goal is for kids to have fun playing basketball,” Andrew Friske said in an interview. Friske is one of the league’s organizers, and he also is Mt. Edgecumbe High’s activities principal.
He said the Baranof Ballers got their start three years ago, an effort spearheaded by parents who had a “vision of establishing a consistent youth basketball program.”
More than 40 adults help run the league, from coaching to working on the board, he said.
The Ballers practice on Saturday, divided by age group. While registration for the older groups is full, Friske noted that kids from Pre-K to second grade could still join.
He said the best way for parents to do so would be to show up at the Blatchley gym, Saturday at 8:45 a.m. to Pre-K, 9:30 a.m. for first graders, and 10:30 a.m. for second graders.
The registration fee for these age groups is $75, and $100 for grades three through eight.
But Friske added that financial assistance is available.
“We’ve never turned a kid down... if a family needs some assistance we’ll work with them,” he said. Sitka Tribe helps with the financial aid, he said.
As far as the mission goes, Friske’s answer was simple.
“We want to reach out to every kid.”
