Youth league a success in first season

By Staff
Mike Self, Franklin County Times
The Franklin County Youth Basketball Organization will conclude its inaugural regular season this Saturday and then hold a postseason tournament beginning next Thursday at Vina High School.
Coordinator Richie Hester said the league, which features boys and girls teams of various ages from Vina, Phil Campbell, Tharptown and Belgreen, has been a tremendous success in its first season.
"It's been going great," said Hester, who coaches his daughter's team. "This will be our fifth Saturday to play, and the gyms have been packed every week. Everywhere we go there is a full crowd. People like to watch their kids and grandkids play."
The FCYBO offers children ages 6-12 the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun, competitive environment.
"It's been a lot of fun," Hester said. "We definitely have some competition, but it's also given these kids a chance to make friends with kids from other schools. That's what it's all about."
Hester said the league also serves to get children involved in basketball at a young age, which will ultimately benefit the junior high and high school programs in the county.
"That's one of the reasons we created the league in the first place," he said. "That was part of our mission."
Hester said that operating the league would not have been possible without the help of many different people. Amy Moss and Gary Odom at Phil Campbell, Charles and Teresa Simmons at Belgreen, Sander Tverberg and Jerry Vandiver at Tharptown, and Timmy Ozbirn and Charlotte Shotts at Vina have helped facilitate the league.