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Highlands Today

AP Youth Hoops League A Hit

MARK PINSON/HIGHLANDS TODAY

The first year of the Avon Park Youth basketball league has been a huge success with more than 170 youngsters participating.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: December 17, 2007

AVON PARK — The sounds of sneakers squeaking and basketballs being dribbled emanated from the Avon Park Recreation Department on Saturday.

More than 170 youngsters, ages 3-13, were on hand for the second week of games in the Avon Park Recreation Youth Basketball League.

The league, which is in its first year, is being run by Michelle Cuencas, who is the interim supervisor for the Avon Park Recreation Department.

Cuencas, who took over when former Avon Park Recreation Director Tony Anderson stepped down in July, is excited to see the turnout and support from the community for the coed program.

"We've had an awesome amount of interest and support from the community and it's great to see," Cuencas said. "We have more than 170 boys and girls playing and their parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents can all come out to watch them play."

The basketball league started after the completion of the volleyball league, which was also very popular.

"Volleyball was a hit and after basketball, we'll have a soccer league and then another volleyball league and hopefully, a flag football league before the summer," said Cuencas. "We wouldn't be able to do this without all the volunteers who work as coaches, referees and at the concession stands.

"This is a program that this area has needed for a long time and I'm glad to see it going over so well."

The cost to join the league is $35 and new players are being accepted.

"The entry fee includes shorts and a t-shirt which each child can keep, one practice during the week and games on Saturday," Cuencas said. "

All of the practices and games are held at the Avon Park Recreation Department, which is just five years old and also serves as a shelter.

"We're excited about the building and this is a facility that can be used for multiple purposes," Cuencas said. "It's a shelter and we also have community events here like the fall festival.

"Through recreation, we want to give kids a safe place to come and play and hopefully, that will deter juvenile crime and teen pregnancy."

Combining the recreation with family support is an important aspect that helps to build self esteem.

"This program fills a void because sports are great vehicles to reach children," said Cuencas. "We talk about character, integrity and proper behavior and the kind of vales that will serve them well as they grow up."

The basketball league runs through the end of January and for more information contact Cuencas at 452-4414.

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