Local Pee Wee Basketball League Rolling Along

By Phil Orlandella

After six weeks of play, the Nazzaro Center/North End Athletic Association Pee Wee BasketballLeague is heading into its second half of the season and the excitement couldn’t get any greater according to Center Director Carl Ameno.

“The enthusiasm level has nothing to do with wins and losses but rather with the thrill of participation,” Ameno said.

In fact, there are no wins and losses in this basically instructional league.

“It’s just instruction, sportsmanship and tons of fun, particularly for the spectators,” Ameno said. “There’s a minimum of competition, but there’s no wins or loses.”

The Pee Wee League meets most Saturdays between 11am and 12 noon. Boys and girls 4-8 yearsold make up the league and are given t-shirts.

During the first half hour participants are divided into two groups and put through a series of basic instruction including passing, dribbling, defense, offense and shooting lay-ups.

The second half hour the groups go through the motion of playing a game with eight foot baskets there is even an electric scoreboard in use. No standings are kept.

Usually there are ten players on a team, with each playing two quarters, about eight minutes a game.

While final scores are relatively low, Ameno said, “The thrill is watching these youngstersgradually employ the instructions they’ve received from week to week.”

Teams can change each session but at the end of each hour everyone seems happy, tired and looking forward to the next week, especially the parents, Ameno noted.

Since there are no formal teams or standings, new participants, even at this mid-point are welcome.

Participants must be a members of the Center ($20 a year).

For more details call the League Director Carl Ameno at 617-635-5166.