Budding basketball players in Outlook and a number of surrounding communities have been learning the ins and outs of the game since this past February, and last weekend, they put those skills on display in a two-day tournament.
The Steve Nash Youth Basketball program was coordinated in Outlook by Bryan Akre, and in the last two months, young boys and girls from grades one to six have been practicing the game and honing their skills on the court in their home communities, taught by parents and volunteers. The program promotes the sport of basketball in areas across Canada and helps to give back to the sport by helping young athletes to develop the skills and understanding of the game.
Nash, originally from Victoria, BC, is a celebrated Canadian basketball icon who played with the Phoenix Suns, winning two MVP awards in the NBA. He’s considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
On Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 in Outlook, all those practices and all that hard work on the part of young local players was put to the test when the gymnasiums at the high school and elementary school played host to a weekend tournament, showcasing all they’ve learned in practice and making for a fun, action-packed environment.
On day one, the Boys tournament featured games welcoming teams from Outlook, Davidson, Rosetown and Loreburn/Lucky Lake. The following day, the Girls tournament featured teams from the same communities, making for a large turnout of athletes eager to play the game and continue developing their skills on the court.
The enthusiastic stars-in-the-making had a blast learning everything they could about the game of basketball, and they’re looking forward to continuing playing the sport and working on their skills in the future.
