NEAA/Nazzaro Center CYO teams being formed

Once again the Nazzaro Community Center and the North End Athletic Association are preparing for still another CYO basketball season with six different teams with some practices underway and others about to begin, according to the Center’s Director Carl Ameno.

"The CYO season begins statewide on the weekend after Thanksgiving, so there’s still ample time to try out for one of the six teams that the Center is sponsoring," Ameno said.

Teams are broken up by age, gender and grade. No one player can appear on more than one roster, Ameno explained.

Teams play an average of 2 games each week, one home and one away, between early December and late February with various play-offs and tournaments possibly extending the season to late March, Ameno noted.

Games could be played any day or night of the week with most games scheduled on weekends.

Local teams will play against other neighborhood teams that take place in gyms in Roslindale, Quincy, South Boston and all points in between, according to Ameno.

All games follow CYO guidelines with two certified officials, score keepers and team uniforms.

To participate players must be a member of the Center ($20 per year). The league is free.

"While the competition is very good, CYO does not allow high school varsity basketball players to participate, so the league offers just the right mix of all skill levels," Ameno said.

Boys teams consist of 4th grade (plenty of openings), 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades (limited openings) and 16-under (limited openings).

Girls team consists of 5th, 6th 7th and 8th grades (plenty of openings).

For more information regarding the CYO League or the Center’s House League call Carl Ameno at 617-635-5166.