By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

A travel league basketball organization based out of Selma and Tuscaloosa is gearing up for its fifth season.

The TNA Heat currently has three teams in Selma consisting of 30 players separated into age groups.

Letti Hasberry, assistant director of the TNA Heat, coaches the girls teams and said children in second grade all the way up to high school are registered in the league.

Hasberry said they hold most practices, which start in March, at Concordia Community College or Meadowview Christian.

The league’s tournament schedule starts in April and goes through July.

The TNA Heat will host its third tournament in Selma on June 26-28.

Hasberry said 50 teams are currently registered and locations for games will vary between Meadowview Christian, Ellwood Christian, School of Discovery and R.B. Hudson Middle School.

The tournament is a fundraiser to help the league pay for hotel and transportation costs for two more tournaments in July.

Hasberry said she recommends the program mainly to girls in the community because they do not always have the same opportunities as boys when it comes to athletics.

“Their is always opportunities for boys to do stuff whether it is football or basketball, but the girls don’t have those as much,” Hasberry said. “I just want to give girls the opportunity as well. Most of these kids have never been out of the state of Alabama. They will go out of state for at least one tournament with us.”

Hasberry said she takes her teams to watch a star in the WNBA every year.

“Last year we got to see Skylar Diggins play against the Atlanta Dream,” Hasberry said. “The year before that we got to watch Brittney Griner. This year I’m going to try Maya Moore of the Atlanta Dream so they can see what it is like on the next level.”

For more information about the TNA Heat or to send donations contact Hasberry at letti4230@yahoo.com.