To the Basketball Community of Centre County, 

We here at Centred Basketball are excited and honored to partner with the YMCA to form  the CBY Youth Basketball League, which will enhance the youth basketball experience in Centre County. This newly formed league will align with our mission to provide developmental and competitive basketball experiences that teach life lessons, forge a strong work ethic, and instill a high character in the youth of the Centre region. 

The benefits the CBY Youth Basketball League are numerous. First, two nonprofit organizations  that are passionate about the wellbeing of young people can offer more in the way of coaching. The YMCA has done an outstanding job of recruiting coaches throughout the years, and Centred Basketball has invested in acquiring a coaching curriculum that will assist in developing the coaches. This combination will ultimately result in better instruction for the players and their development. We are also committing to have a director at each grade level to oversee drills and skills sessions. That way, there will always be someone with basketball expertise involved with each grade level and able to assist coaches when needed. 

Another exciting component to this league is the ability to offer more age-appropriate games. At the K-2nd grade level, players will be playing in a 3-on-3 game setting. The nature of a 5-on-5 game at this level is hectic and confusing to most players at this grade level. The 3-on-3 setting allows for them to understand the game at a much more manageable rate. Additionally, they will have the ability to make more of an impact on the game because they will be handling the ball, shooting, and playing defense more than in a 5-on-5 setting. Players in 3rd-4th grade will have the opportunity to play either 3-on-3 or 5-on-5, depending on skill level. At our 5th-6th grade level, we will be offering a recreational division and a more competitive division, which will include our in-house teams and teams from outside the area. Finally, we will be hosting a 7th-8th grade in-house division. This was immensely popular last year and we are very pleased to offer it again. 

When it gets right down to it, basketball is a game and meant to be fun. Yes, there will be competition. But what Centred Basketball and the YMCA are most looking forward to is the opportunity to use this fun game to help shape the character of the kids playing it. We are all very excited to get the season started and would like to thank you all in advance for your support. 

See you on the court, 

Centred Basketball