Basketball season is coming at the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, providing many area youth with an extracurricular activity to keep them busy after school.

So many lessons are learned by our youth through athletics — teamwork and punctuality are among them — making being part of a team an invaluable part of a child’s development.

Playing at the YMCA is a great way for children to learn a game for the first time and meet new friends. Staying busy also keeps children away from video games and electronics, a battle that never seems to end.

“It gives the kids something to do after school,” said Sgt. Herschell Brown, who is over basketball at the YMCA.

“They come out of football season and they are looking for something to do and it gives them something to do. Sometimes it helps them with their basic fundamentals and sometimes the kids that can’t play football can play basketball.”

Youth must be in first through sixth grade in order to be eliglible to play.

Basketball registration will run until Tuesday, when an evaluation day will be held. The cost for members is $35 and for non-members it is $45.

Games will be played Tuesday and Thursday nights, although tight scheduling and any type of delay could require Monday or Saturday morning games.

Time is running out for those wanting to play basketball at the YMCA, but if basketball isn’t your child’s thing there are plenty of other activities at the YMCA. We recommend checking them out.

CEO Ann Murray and the staff have done a great job of reviving programs and bringing fun to the YMCA.

For more information on basketball registration, contact Sgt. Brown at 254-415-13600 or call the YMCA at 874-9622.