ORANGE — Before someone can know if they love basketball, they need to learn to play first.
The Orange Recreation Association (ORA) kicked off its fourth-sixth grade girls league with a pair of games at Fisher Hill Elementary School, Thursday night.
Basic skills were the focus for the four teams involved: Remembering to dribble while moving, not dribbling twice and keeping the ball moving until a good shot presents itself.
League director Helene Holmes coaches Witty’s Funeral Home. Holmes started the girls league in 1976.
“This is a learning league,” Holmes said. “That’s what we tell the kids. That these are scrimmages until the playoffs start.”
Occasionally, friendly verbal reminders came from fans and coaches about shooting at the correct hoop.
Even so, the faces were red and the smiles were wide for all the players involved.
Chad Songer coaches Pete’s Tire Barns.
“We just want them to be better than when they first walked in,” Songer said. “Just improve in all the skills. That’s what we teach here. They all have really good attitudes about everything.”
In the first game, Pete’s Tires Barns beat Witty’s Funeral Home 8-6 in double overtime.
Christiana Dunn netted the game-winner for Pete’s Tire Barns.
“It felt good,” Dunn said. “I was trying not to laugh.”
Dunn is a sixth-grader at Dexter Park and has aspirations of playing high school basketball for the Senators across town.
“I just want to be better because I want to try out for the Mahar basketball team,” Dunn said. “I want to improve for when I am playing for them.”
Haleigh Benoit was a strong presence in the paint for Pete’s Tire Barns with six points near the rim. Shea Woods was the point guard, initiating a lot offense and drawing defenders.
Taylor Paluk had two baskets for Witty’s Funeral Home and played well defensively.
In the second game, Porter Transportation defeated Ames Trophy, 15-4.
Porter Transportation’s Destiny Matthews showed a natural ability to go coast-to-coast with the ball to get herself a good shot.
Matthews also showed a nice touch shooting from mid-range.
McKenzie Scribner and Ariel Peter each had a basket for Ames Trophy.
