Des Plaines girls basketball league prepares athletes for season

The Des Plaines Park District's Frosh/Soph Girls Basketball League, comprised of 18 Maine West High School athletes, on three teams, has completed the first three games of their season. The teams play eight games during the six-week season, on Saturday afternoons, leading up to high school team tryouts, on Monday, Oct. 31.

“We started this league to give the girls a chance to develop their ‘basketball' muscles, which, in turn, helps to reduce the number of injuries during their regular season at Maine West,” said Jerry Stonequist, athletic programs coordinator.

“Many of the players are actively involved in a high school sport during our league play, such as cross country or volleyball. The girls were looking for a way to develop their technical skills, play structured ball, and get ready for competition,” he said. “This league fills that niche.”

While the athletes are assigned to a team, sometimes players float back and forth in order to assure that each team gets to play a full schedule. One of the three teams plays a doubleheader each week. Games are played with 16-minute halves in the Prairie Lakes Community Center Gym, 515 E. Thacker St., under ISHA rules.

“We play basketball year round at the Des Plaines Park District,” said Joshua Cantres, athletic supervisor.

“In addition to the Girls League, we have play for children K-2; boys and girls in grades 3-6; a Middle School League made up of five teams of athletes from the middle schools in Des Plaines; a Frosh/Soph Boys League comprised of five teams made up of Maine West High School players; a Varsity Boys League — six teams from neighboring high schools; and a Men's Fall, Winter Spring and Summer League,” he said.

Placement night for the Boys and Girls Basketball program for grades 3-6 is Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Prairie Lakes Gym. Practices are held once a week, beginning on Nov. 14 and games begin on Dec. 3. The games are coached by volunteers, who receive NAYS training and certification, as well as special benefits and discounts for their service.

For more information about sports and athletic programs at the Des Plaines Park District, call (847) 391-5711, or visit www.DPParks.org.

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