Coming up next: Basketball!

Submitted by Zach Neal, varsity basketball coach 

As fall sports wind down, we are excited for the beginning of basketball season. The basketball program looks to build on our momentum that we gained over the summer and continue to improve at all levels. This year we are opening our Youth Hoops program to first and second graders for the first time. The program as a whole covers first-sixth grade and will be led by Coach Jake LaCross. We will begin on November 6 and will continue for five consecutive weeks, ending on December 4. Sign up information can be found on our Facebook page or by reaching out to Coach LaCross directly (JLacross14@gmail.com).

Following the Youth Hoops season, all boys will be encouraged to continue their season by playing in any of the numerous travel leagues and tournaments in the area. In the past, Manchester boys have participated in the Tecumseh Hoopsters league. Parents are needed to organize and coach these teams; more information will be made available at the beginning of Youth Hoops.

Middle School basketball season is right around the corner as well. The first week of practice for seventh and eighth grade will be October 25 at Riverside Intermediate School. A signup sheet can be found in Ms. Kastel’s classroom. Coach Niehaus and Coach Fielder are excited to get the season started, and will have practice times available shortly.

November 15 marks the beginning of high school basketball tryouts. To get ready for the season, boys are encouraged to sign up for four-person workouts on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with Coach Neal. The workouts begin at 7 am and run until 7:45 during the month of October. Signup sheets can be found in Mr. Ignash’s classroom.

We are excited to welcome anyone interested in playing basketball this season! All you need is a pair of shoes, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn. The future of our program is bright, but in order to get the success we are looking for we will need buy-in from players and parents alike. If you have any questions about the boys basketball program, please do not hesitate to reach out to Boys’ Varsity Head Coach Zach Neal (Zacharyneal@yahoo.com) with your questions.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.