FCYBO county tourney begins Thursday

By Staff
The Franklin County Youth Basketball Organization will wrap up its season next week with the county tournaments at Red Bay High School.
This will be the conclusion of the fourth season for FCYBO and organizer Richie Hester said it has been successful.
"We play about 45-50 games every week and haven't had a forfeit all season," Hester said. "The kids have been there and have been ready to play."
Hester said the league has improved the quality of play for several young people who are beginning to play for their middle school teams.
"The kids are getting better and the level of competition is getting better," Hester said. "We are seeing improvements in junior high ball. The kids are going on and being some of the better players at that level."
He said the league's motto, "It's not about wining or losing, it's about competition and sportsmanship" is one of the reasons the players have developed so well.
The county tournament will feature teams from Belgreen, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Tharptown and Vina.
There will be seven different divisions competing – 5-and-6-year-old coeds, 8-year-old girls, 8-year-old boys, 10-year-old girls, 10-year-old boys, 12-year-old girls and 12-year-old boys.
The games begin Thursday with the 5-and-6-year olds playing in the old gym beginning at 6 p.m. followed by four games featuring the 8-year-old boys.
Action in the new gym starts at 5:15 p.m. with the 10-year-old girls playing a series of five games.
The games continue Friday at 5:15 p.m. in the new gym and at 5:30 p.m. in the old gym.
Saturday's games are scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
Following the tournament, All-Star teams will be selected for each age group except the 5-and-6-year-olds.
The All-Stars will travel to the district tournament Feb. 27 in Haleyville.
The winners and runners-up in that tournament will advance to the state tournament March 11-13 in Gadsden.